Cameron promises MPs action on rioting
Source: Agencies |
August 12, 2011, Friday
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UK Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday promised vigorous and wide-ranging measures to restore order and prevent further rioting, including the adoption of gang-fighting methods from US cities.
Cameron told members of parliament there will be no "culture of fear" on Britain's streets, as police raided houses to round up more suspects from four days of rioting and looting in London and other cities.
The prime minister said the government is "acting decisively" to restore order, and is considering new powers, including allowing police to order thugs to remove masks or hoods, evicting troublemakers from subsidized housing and temporarily disabling mobile phone messaging services.
He added: "We will not allow a culture of fear to exist on our streets. We will not let a violent few beat us."
Cameron was addressing MPs after they were summoned from their summer vacations for an emergency debate. He promised tough measures to stop further violence and said "nothing should be off the table," including water cannons and plastic bullets.
He said riot-hit businesses will receive help to recover, and he promised to look to the US for help in fighting the street gangs he blames for helping to spark England's riots.
Cameron said he wanted to learn from cities, including Boston and Glasgow, that had fought gangs "by engaging the police, the voluntary sector and local government."
He said the government, police and intelligence services were looking at whether there should be limits on the use of social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, or services like BlackBerry Messenger.
BlackBerry's simple and largely cost-free messaging service was used by rioters to coordinate activities, according to the prime minister's office.
Government officials said they are discussing with spy agencies and communications companies whether messaging services could be disabled in specific areas or at specific times.
Authorities are considering "whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality," Cameron said.
He said that, in future, police will be able to order people to remove masks, hoods or other face coverings when they suspect them of concealing their identity to carry out a crime. Currently, officers must seek approval from a senior officer.
A program that can ban gang members from meeting together, loitering in certain places, or displaying gang insignia will also be extended, he said.
Meanwhile the number of people arrested in London rose to 922 since trouble began on Saturday, with 401 suspects charged.
Cameron told members of parliament there will be no "culture of fear" on Britain's streets, as police raided houses to round up more suspects from four days of rioting and looting in London and other cities.
The prime minister said the government is "acting decisively" to restore order, and is considering new powers, including allowing police to order thugs to remove masks or hoods, evicting troublemakers from subsidized housing and temporarily disabling mobile phone messaging services.
He added: "We will not allow a culture of fear to exist on our streets. We will not let a violent few beat us."
Cameron was addressing MPs after they were summoned from their summer vacations for an emergency debate. He promised tough measures to stop further violence and said "nothing should be off the table," including water cannons and plastic bullets.
He said riot-hit businesses will receive help to recover, and he promised to look to the US for help in fighting the street gangs he blames for helping to spark England's riots.
Cameron said he wanted to learn from cities, including Boston and Glasgow, that had fought gangs "by engaging the police, the voluntary sector and local government."
He said the government, police and intelligence services were looking at whether there should be limits on the use of social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, or services like BlackBerry Messenger.
BlackBerry's simple and largely cost-free messaging service was used by rioters to coordinate activities, according to the prime minister's office.
Government officials said they are discussing with spy agencies and communications companies whether messaging services could be disabled in specific areas or at specific times.
Authorities are considering "whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality," Cameron said.
He said that, in future, police will be able to order people to remove masks, hoods or other face coverings when they suspect them of concealing their identity to carry out a crime. Currently, officers must seek approval from a senior officer.
A program that can ban gang members from meeting together, loitering in certain places, or displaying gang insignia will also be extended, he said.
Meanwhile the number of people arrested in London rose to 922 since trouble began on Saturday, with 401 suspects charged.
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