The Woolwich community is beginning the long clean-up following a night of severe vandalism and looting across the town.

Shop-owners were inspecting the damage to their stores after the riot which also saw the Wetherspoon's pub almost completely destroyed by fire.

Jewellers, computer stores, banks, bookmakers and fast food chains were also hit.

The town was one of the major hotspots for Monday evening's violence, which has been going on across the capital since Saturday.



Bookmaker Corals was broken into and vandalised. Manager George Ross said: "We had an idea something was going to happen and closed early last night. But I was surprised by the level of damage this morning.

"They tried to get plasma TVs off the wall and they smashed through gaming machines and tried to get into the safe and the tills."

Crowds gathered outside The Great Harry Wetherspoon pub, which opened in 2000, and was almost completely burnt out after being set on fire.

London Fire Brigade was still in attendance this morning, where firefighters had just put out another blaze in the pedestrianised high street.

The area, Powis Street, was closed off to the public. WH Smith was one of the shops cordoned off.

Worker Jay Patel said police had told him there was no damage to the store but did not know when the street would reopen.

He added: "We saw what happened in Tottenham on the news, then we heard about Clapham and Croydon last night, but you don't expect this in your own area."

Meanwhile, leader of Greenwich Council Chris Roberts said he would ensure the rioters are punished.

"We shall seek the eviction of anyone living in council property if they are found to have been engaged in criminal acts," he said.

"The vast majority of local residents I have spoken to are understandably disgusted by what happened last night.

"We owe it to them to ensure that we do all we can to support those who live and work here, and are determined to stand alongside the local community."

Deputy leader of the opposition Councillor Nigel Fletcher added: "These are quite dreadful scenes of criminal activity and lawlessness. There is absolutely no excuse for behaviour like this, which has left buildings in ruins and residents in fear.

"The situation is still developing, but we are extremely grateful to our brave emergency services, who have risked their lives in the face of appalling violence to try and defend our neighbourhoods."