Twitter and Facebook users launch anarchist fight back
Twitter users angered at the hijacking of the micro-blogging service by criminal gangs organising mayhem have set up a #RiotCleanup hashtag in an effort to restore normality to some of London’s charred streets.
Local volunteers are signing up under the trending tag to help clear litter, shattered glass and stolen goods from London’s thoroughfares as they attempt to reclaim their streets from the mob.
One volunteer, Katie Antoniou, tweeted: “Trying to figure out how best to help today. Think I'm going to get up and start baking soon, then take food to local #riotcleanup.”
The group have already received some celebrity backing from Twitter don Stephen Fry, who wrote: "I do hope that if I was in London now I'd be as good & brave & kind as all those who are agreeing to meet & help clean up."
England footballers Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney have also taken to the social networking site to appeal for calm.
The Metropolitan Police however are urging people to stay away from looted areas, which are presently being treated as crime scenes. There are concerns that DNA evidence could be lost through well-meaning volunteers.
Scores of arrests are expected in the coming weeks as the police undertake one of the largest criminal investigations in British history.