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Cameron for more powers to police

By The Assam Tribune

LONDON, Aug 11 � Unveiling vigorous measures to tackle Britain�s worst riots in decades, Premier David Cameron today promised extra powers to police to quell the violence as a massive clampdown in London and other major cities netted over 1,200 trouble-makers and prevented further chaos, reports PTI.

Police raided houses to hunt down masked youths responsible for four days of violent unrest as calm descended on London and other affected areas in northeastern and southeastern England. Heavy torrential rains also came to the aid of the authorities, making foot movement on the streets difficult.

Cameron, who deployed thousands of police personnel on streets in the affected areas, vowed to act �decisively� to restore order.

Outlining a number of measures to combat the mayhem that overtook his nation shocking the world, he promised new powers to police and law enforcement agencies and state support to those who had suffered losses in the violence.

As a first major step to counter street violence, Cameron announced that police and security agencies had been given special powers not to allow people to move around with masks.

His remarks came as television cameras showed that most of the arson, looting and violence had been carried out by youngsters wearing masks.

�We will not allow a violent few to beat us,� Cameron said addressing a rare recall of Parliament to tackle the extraordinary situation.

His hard-hitting riposte to violence came as police all over London and outlying counties conducted massive raids on houses arresting over 1,200 people who had been caught on CCTV cameras indulging in mindless violence.

Cameron, who refused to bow down to pressure, did not announce any softening of austerity plans and expenditure cuts, which left-leaning parties and lawmakers have blamed for the malaise that has rocked the nation, whose social and perhaps racial tensions exploded in four nights of bewildering violence.

He also said the authorities were looking at whether there should be limits on the use of social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to spread disorder. Authorities were considering �whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality,� he said.

The Prime Minister said the violence had nothing to do with politics or protests, but it was purely motivated by theft. He vowed that the �climate of fear� will not be allowed to exist on streets.

Cameron, as well as his Chancellor of Exchequer George Osborne, exuded confidence that nothing would be allowed to impede the country from hosting next year�s Olympics, as British Association of Insurance estimated the losses in four days of rioting to excess of � 200 million.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Kavanagh said the raids to round up suspects had begun overnight and authorities had issued more than 100 arrest warrants. �More warrants and arrests are not ruled out,� he said disclosing that police had photo evidence of the youths and gangs involved in violence.

�We expect hundreds of more people to be in custody by tonight,� the high ranking police official said.

Not ruling out the possibilities of involvement of gangs in the violence, Cameron promised to look to the US for help for fighting the street gangs.

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