Retailers across London were forced to close their doors yesterday as they came under threat from looters. Riots erupted in Tottenham on Saturday after a man was shot dead by police and the violence spread to other areas of London over the next three nights.

An extra 1,700 police officers were deployed in London, where shops were looted and buildings were set alight.

The prime minister has returned early from his holiday to discuss the unrest, which first flared on Saturday after a peaceful protest in Tottenham over the fatal shooting of a man by police.

At least 400 people have been arrested following a wave of "copycat criminal activity" across London over the past three days, the Met Police said. More than 69 people have been charged with various offences.

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.

Rioters and looters have caused tens of millions of pounds worth of damage and struck a "hammer blow" to struggling small businesses, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) warned.

A huge clean up operation has begun in many of the affected areas, including Clapham, where Debenhams tweeted to thank volunteers for coming down to pitch in.

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