We needed a fightback and a fightback is under way

"We needed a fightback and a fightback is under way", the Prime Minister has said after four days of riots.David Cameron said every action would be taken to restore order, with contingency plans for water cannon to be available at 24 hours' notice.On Tuesday night, unrest spread to cities including Manchester, Salford, Liverpool, Nottingham and Birmingham, with shops being looted and set alight.Three men died when they were hit by a car in Birmingham.Mr Cameron, speaking after a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee said police were authorised to take "any action necessary" to bring the situation under control.He said: "This continued violence is simply not acceptable, and it will be stopped. We will not put up with this in our country. We will not allow a culture of fear to...

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Regional business groups are warning that retail hotspots could become "ghost towns" as violence and looting spread across the country.

Regional business groups are warning that retail hotspots could become "ghost towns" as violence and looting spread across the country.Miss Selfridge in central Manchester was set on fireShops in cities including Manchester, Nottingham, Liverpool and Birmingham were targeted on Tuesday night causing damage that will "cost millions" to repair.The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) said the violence would severely hit business in the city."Repairs, stock replacement and lost trading time is going to costs millions of pounds and have a huge impact on takings," Chris Fletcher, deputy chief executive of the chamber, said.But he stressed...

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Operation to ensure strength of forces nationwide highlighted by rioting in Manchester and other cities that sent officers to London

National police coordinators are reviewing the mutual aid operation on "an hourly basis" after violence flared in cities which had sent officers to London leaving three men dead.The logistical operation to make sure forces across the country have adequate numbers to tackle fast-moving flash points across the UK has been highlighted by the rioting on Tuesday in Manchester, Birmingham and other cities. In contrast the Metropolitan Police faced a quiet night with 16,000 officers on the streets – 1,500 of them sent from 30 other forces.In Manchester riot teams were "overwhelmed", senior officers said. "We had to draw resources from all over the northwest to be able to ensure that we could protect life and property here in Manchester and Salford," said assistant chief constable Gary Shewan.Manchester...

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