They're rioting in Birmingham now

[funnygirl]

It is like the world has gone mad!!!!

[DrFilth]

water cannons come with their own supply tank at the back and if not squirting at the rioters can help put out the fires

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_cannon

[joeluke]

ummmm....not had time, guess they are all much of a muchness, why do you ask?

[jno]

you're not wrong, TheHouseHusband - imagine the look on the troops' faces when you tell them "Okay, lads, we're pulling you out of Helmand - you're needed in Debenhams."

Seems the local trouble (outer north London) has been nipped in the bud. jno jnr says he saw it hinted at on Blackberry a couple of hours ago, so presumably the police did likewise and got ready for it. From what I've seen on telly, lots of forces have been far slower off the mark.

[The-HouseHusband]

Would have to agree though that some way of dispersing smart water onto the crowds would be great for the police. Contain the situation in an area and let it burn its self out. Then just have monitoring stations around the cities for the next few months and drag the idiots I one by one.

Perhaps it could be sprayed from above using the police helicopters allowing them to mark people without getting close and causing more tension.

[ummmm]

Joe - because there has been lot's of links posted about lawless Britain and rioting going back 100's of years...

[The-HouseHusband]

Water cannons may have a supply tank built in but it holds a finite amount of water and then has to be refilled from a source! Out and about the only sources available are hydrants which are needed by the fire service as they only have small supply tanks fitted so they can start fighting the fire while being hooked up to a hydrant.

CS gas is far more effective especially if used in the confined spaces of the shops they are looting.

[sp1814]

On Sky News (live) a reporter was talking to the studio (literally just now), who had to cut off his report because he was being attacked.

Also, Ealing is kicking off now.

[ladybirder]

Man shot and injured in Croydon now. No other details.

[chelle7272]

BBC just said someone in Clapham's been shot, not fatal though

[sandyRoe]

When it reaches Tumbridge Wells it will be time to worry.

[Wrongn3mber]

"
jno
you're not wrong, TheHouseHusband - imagine the look on the troops' faces when you tell them "Okay, lads, we're pulling you out of Helmand - you're needed in Debenhams"

Lol!

[starone]

It is frightening.

[DrFilth]

just on the news ealing shopping centre is on fire

[grffindoor2011]

The very initial start of all of this I could certainly understand the way people behaved.

What has followed though is disgraceful. The military should have been called out with the water hoses by now. Sky News and its constant glorification of it all is just encouraging the little b******* to go get what they want without fear of any police being around.

[grffindoor2011]

Just read other comments about our military at streching point already....get them back from other countries where they don't belong!

[mightyWBA]

The constant media coverage doesn't help.
The state should seize control of the media outlets and the Armed Forces strategically deployed.
Time we stopped being so spineless in this country.

[sp1814]

MightyWBA

If the state took control of media outlets, that would be the worst message ever.

Also, how would the government (in the short term) take over Twitter and Facebook.

Ignore the newspapers - that's not how people are spreading the word...it's new media, not old that's being used.

[mightyWBA]

I suppose you support the rioters sp...One of those who can see their point.
I trust you'd feel the same if your livelihood went up in flames..We should crack down hard on these thugs.
Goodnight..Work in the morning 5-30 am

[jno]

trouble reported on Tower Bridge? Also Camden town

[chelle7272]

Rumours it's kicking off in Bristol now, hope not :-(