Riots Aftermath in Woolwich

This morning Londoners and others around the country gathered in battered high streets to witness the devastating damage caused by unpredicted riots. Social networking sites were alive with pictures and comments of burnt out shops and cars as local people came to terms with the criminal damage inflicted on their work places and homes. In Woolwich, a part of South East London well known for high unemployment and low income families was one of the areas hit. Late at night on Monday the rioters took to the streets of Woolwich. This afternoon the center is cut off with police tape, Barclays bank and the train station have smashed windows and have closed. The corpse of a burnt out car sits near by as a monument to the events of the previous night. Buses are diverted and police stand on corners whilst members of the public ask questions and take pictures, aghast at what has struck their communities.

Studentnewsblog: Riots Spread to Lewisham

Studentnewsblog: Riots Spread to Lewisham

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Riots Spread to Lewisham

The shocking 'riots of London' have recently spread to Lewisham. The whole high street and roundabouts at either end were cordoned off, opposite one of the biggest Police stations in the country. Lines of riot police formed by half past five in the afternoon today. One young man named Michael walked out of the local pub 'the fox and ferkin' in Lewisham after hearing rumors of possible trouble about an hour beforehand. Michael was already heading out of the area when he was suddenly charged at by riot police, caught up in an exchange between 100 to 200 hooded people lobbing rocks at police. Michael said 'it was full of police, police were everywhere, there were more police here than at the student protests!' Bus lanes and streets towards Catford were blocked. Questions and fear spread, as it emerges the lead members of the riots are 13/14 and 15 years old. The riots have recently spread to Clapham, Ealing and Willsden Junction and Camden. At least in Lewisham it seems the violence was calmed and controlled by police presence.

Fear for London as Riots Spread to Brixton

After the horrific riot scenes in Tottenham, North London, more riots broke out in Brixton on Sunday night. It started after a planned street party in Brixton that ended at 7pm. Attendants claimed Brixton centre had a very heavy police presence. But police failed to notice more people coming than going when the street party ended. Quickly riots broke out, Mcdonalds, then Footlocker then Nando's was attacked. Tesco's was evacuated, night buses, cars and industrial bins were vandalised and burnt. One resident, named Laura, living in the middle of the riots was having a nice night out with colleagues at the local 'music bar' when she was met with a line of riot police. Amongst others she rang 999, and was told that the police were 'very busy.' Like many residents Laura was kept up until 3am by helicopters, alarms and shouting. In her pajamas, at the site of smoke billowing into her flat she went outside to converse with riot police. Laura, whilst in plain view of looters smashing windows and starting fires, was told to 'F**k off and go home.' By riot police. Asking what they think she should do, they said 'Go home and lock your door.' the resident did, and later listened as thugs tried to break down her gate but were unsuccessful. Laura said 'it was really scary, and the police were pathetic, beyond pathetic.' Brixton was left looking like a bomb site and public transport halted. It seems the recent government cut backs on police is having a devastating effect on the capital, as opportunistic criminals spread riots causing terror for London residents, employees and businesses, as the police struggle to contain the violence.

Flat-Pack Metal Detectors, Newest Weapon Against Knife Crime

Metropolitan police introduced new 'flat-pack' metal detectors to the streets of Greenwich last Saturday night. Unsuspecting pedestrians were met with a pack of policeman and a strange black plastic doorway. The metal detectors are made out of crate like squares and fitted together. People coming to and from pubs and train stations willingly tried them out. After a few tries, the police realised they had it the wrong way round, and readjusted accordingly. Police said it was being used for the first time to help target those carrying illegal weapons. It is also so that once the machine beeps, they have the right to search members of the public for illegal drugs. Upon asking a young man called Kurtis if it made him feel safer he said: 'On this particular street yes, but it doesn't stop me getting stabbed around the corner.' For now they are being trialed but may become a regular occurrence for the streets of London.

First Aider Fails When Man Hit By Train At London Bridge

Last Friday night, a young man was clipped by an incoming train at London Bridge, leaving with only minor head injuries - despite questionable practice by a south eastern train first aider. The 28 year old white man, only identified as 'Jonathan' was walking along the platform as the 22:50 train to Gillingham, going at approximately 35mph collided with him, leaving Jonathan unconscious on the platform. Within 5 minutes commuters had gathered around the still body, signaled an emergency to the incoming train driver and an ambulance called. The ambulance caller, a young white male, was advised above all 'not to move his head' by the emergency services operator. A further couple of minutes and train staff including the station manager and a female first aider, identified as V. Bascon, attended to the casualty. Clearing the small crowd that had gathered, V Bascon took control and performing first aid, turned the head of the unconscious man both ways, to the horror of the crowd and despite being told very promptly by three bystanders not to. V. Bascon responded with 'Stand back and let me do my job.' Minutes later paramedics turned up to take over, asking how long Jonathan had been unconscious. Soon transport police appeared and took details from witnesses. Eventually the man opened his eyes after being unconscious for some time and was taken to hospital. So far Jonathan seems to have only sustained minor head injuries from what could have been a fatal collision, made worse by the ill decisions of south eastern train staff. Transport police are still investigating the incident.