In the Media

Seven arrested on suspicion of starting London riots

PUBLISHED May 31, 2012
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The group were allegedly among those who were involved in the early outbreaks of disorder in Tottenham last August which led to riots across Britain.

Five men and one woman, aged between 17 and 19 were arrested in a series of dawn raids across London.

A seventh person, a youth aged 15, was arrested after attending a North London police station.

Officers from the Met's Operation Withern, with the help of members of the Territorial Support Group (TSG) raided 11 addresses in Hackney, Walthamstow and Haringey.

Five of the arrested men allegedly belonged to a gang, while the 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and burglary.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Elliott, of Operation Withern, said: "Those individuals arrested this morning are suspected to have been involved in the initial disorder seen in Tottenham that clearly acted as a catalyst for the further acts of disorder which erupted across London last August.

"Nearly 10 months on, the viewing of the CCTV is nearly complete and from this footage we are still identifying, arresting and bringing to justice large numbers of offenders.

"These arrests demonstrate our work is far from done. We would like to thank the public for their continued assistance which has been key in bringing those individuals involved to justice."

More than 4,100 people have now been arrested by officers investigating the disturbances in the capital last summer with more than 2,600 being charged.

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