Some 16,000 police officers will be on London's streets later in a bid to prevent a fourth night of rioting.The government's emergency committee, Cobra, met in the wake of Monday's violence, which spread across London and prompted unrest in other cities.PM David Cameron pledged to restore order, recalling Parliament on Thursday in response to the "sickening scenes". The Met Police, which is drafting in support from 30 other forces, says it will consider using plastic bullets.AdvertisementTwo 17-year-olds said they were "showing police and rich people they could do whatever they wanted".Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stephen Kavanagh said use of the ammunition - never before fired to deal with riots in England - would be "considered carefully".But he added: "That does not mean we are scared of using any tactic."
Acting Commissioner Tim Godwin had earlier ruled out calling in the Army.However, the force has cancelled all leave and called in Special constables and community support officers to ensure five times the usual number of officers for a Tuesday will be on duty.Meanwhile, Scotland Yard said a 26-year-old man found shot in a car in Croydon, amid rioting in the south London town, had died in hospital.
Hundreds of arrests
Mr Cameron met officers in the Met Police's Gold command in Lambeth on Tuesday afternoon, before speaking to emergency service personnel in Croydon.He condemned the "sickening scenes of people looting, vandalising, thieving, robbing", which the Met Police said had resulted in 525 arrests and more than 100 people being charged.AdvertisementClapham resident Nick Shaw escaped unhurt from his home which was set ablazeHe told rioters: "You will feel the full force of the law. And if you are old enough to commit these crimes, you are old enough to face the punishment."The recall of Parliament will allow MPs to "stand together in condemnation of these crimes and to stand together in determination to rebuild these communities", he said.The prime minister returned early from his holiday in Tuscany to discuss the unrest, which first flared on Saturday after a peaceful protest in Tottenham over the fatal shooting of a man by police.
London has seen a wave of "copycat criminal activity" over the past three days, the Met Police said.Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham and Bristol are among the other cities where violence broke out.In other developments.Three people are being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder after a police officer was injured by a car in Wembley, north-west London, while trying to stop suspected looters,Part of London's Tramlink between has been suspended as a result of a fire.
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