British police out in force as violence subsides
August 11, 2011
Britain's cities were largely quiet early Thursday after days of rioting and looting that drew thousands of extra police officers onto the streets and a stern warning from Prime Minister David Cameron that order would be restored by whatever means necessary.
Tensions remained high even in the absence of any major incidents, and Cameron has recalled Parliament from its summer recess for an emergency debate on the riots later Thursday. He will face mounting pressure to reconsider planned police budget cuts, which critics claim will strain an already overstretched force.
An eerie calm prevailed over most of London overnight, with a highly visible police presence watching over the capital. Metropolitan Police said objects had been thrown at officers in south London's Eltham neighborhood but that the incident had been "dealt with" and a group was dispersed.
Other cities where looters had wreaked havoc earlier this week also came through the night largely unscathed, though for the first time minor disturbances were reported in Wales.
Police continued to make arrests linked to the disturbances, with the number of arrests in London alone climbing to 820. Courts were staffing around the clock to process alleged looters, vandals and thieves - including one as young as 11.
Even as Cameron promised Wednesday not to let a "culture of fear" take hold, tensions flared in Birmingham, where a murder probe was opened after three men were killed in a hit-and-run incident as they took to the streets to defend shops from looting.

Click the link below for the rest of the article!

Posted by Ken at 4:50 AM