Panic on the streets of North London - disorder reported in Crouch End

The front pages are this morning dominated by reports of the rioting that took place in Tottenham and Enfield this weekend, seemingly prompted by the death of Mark Duggan on Thursday. Local reports suggest that a lesser degree of looting and disorder spread west to Crouch End, with a break-in at the Blockbuster video shop on Topsfield Parade.

Information on the exact causes of the rioting and violent disorder that began in Tottenham on Saturday evening and spread to Wood Green, Walthamstow and Edmonton is still emerging. Some reports suggest that community unrest grew after police failed to address a peaceful protest outside Tottenham police station, at which local people demanded answers about the cause of Duggan's death.

Others report that the youths involved in Saturday night's violence and looting came from outside the immediate area. David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, criticised the "mindless, mindless" people involved in the riots. In a press statement, Lammy said, "The scenes currently taking place in our community are not representative of the vast majority of people in Tottenham." 

"We already have one grieving family in our community and further violence will not heal that pain," he added. "True justice can only follow a thorough investigation of the facts."

Rioting was initially confined to Tottenham and Wood Green in the east of the borough, but later spread further afield to Enfield, Walthamstow and even Brixton in South London on Sunday evening. Early reports suggest this second night of rioting was arranged on social networking sites including Facebook.

Comedian Simon Pegg, a Crouch End resident, made light of the situation, tweeting "Can't envisage there ever being riots in Crouch End. Maybe if the Haelan Centre runs out of mung beans." Others were similarly convinced that violence in the N8 and N6 areas is unlikely. Police vans were however seen yesterday evening at the bottom of Middle Lane, and a group of looters smashed the windows of the Blockbuster rental store late last night.

It is unclear if the break-in, which appeared to be a one-off incident, is related to wider disorder in North London. Highgate and Crouch End do not share Tottenham's profile of poverty, unemployment and social deprivation and it seems unlikely that many local residents would have serious grievances against police and local government. Police responded quickly to the attack, and no further offences have been reported.

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Image: Tom.Kay