The home secretary, Theresa May, is flying back from her summer holiday after a second night of violence in London left at least nine more police officers injured and led to more than 100 arrests.
Her return comes amid growing criticism over the absence of senior politicians and police leaders as "copycat" looting broke out on Sunday night across several boroughs in north, south and east London following riots in Tottenham on Saturday.
Brixton in south London bore the brunt of Sunday's violence, with shops looted and some set alight. Police told businesses in the area affected it was "advisable" to shut up shop on Monday. Other troublespots included Enfield, Walthamstow and Islington in north and east London.
Thousands of extra police had been drafted in from neighbouring forces to support the Metropolitan police, who admitted they had not anticipated the extreme violence on Saturday that followed a peaceful demonstration to demand "justice" for Mark Duggan, 29, a father of four shot dead by police on Thursday evening near Tottenham Hale retail park.
The Guardian has revealed that doubts are emerging over whether he died following an exchange of fire with CO19 officers. Initial ballistic tests on a bullet lodged in a police radio after his death suggested it was police issue, it is understood. An inquest into his death is due to open tomorrow.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which is carrying out an investigation into Duggan's death, said it was awaiting "further forensic analysis" to form a comprehensive account of the shots that led to his death. Results were expected within 24 hours.
Rachel Cerfontyne, the IPCC commissioner overseeing the independent investigation into Duggan's death, responded to suggestions the watchdog had not had enough contact with Duggan's family.
She said: "Following my meeting with the family yesterday [Sunday] I am very clear that their concerns were not about lack of contact or support from the IPCC. Their concerns were about lack of contact from the police in delivering news of his death to Mark's parents.
"It is never the responsibility of the IPCC to deliver a message regarding someone's death and I have told Mr Duggan's family that I would be addressing this issue with the Met and that, if necessary, this would become part of our investigation."
The Met police borough commander for Tottenham is also due to return to London after reportedly flying to Florida. Chief Superintendent Sandra Looby has been criticised for allegedly leaving for a holiday hours before Saturday's riot.
The London mayor, Boris Johnson, is apparently not considering cutting his holiday short. Kit Malthouse, the deputy mayor for policing in London, said a return would "kind of reward" criminality.
Sunday night's looting across London was carried out by "small and mobile" groups, said Scotland Yard. Thousands had attended the Splash festival in Brixton without problems. But the mood changed after 11pm when witnesses said about 200 young people began throwing stones and bottles at police. Some of the offenders wore masks or scarves and others had hoods pulled over their faces.
Near the tube station, which remained shut on Monday, the Foot Locker store was trashed and set alight. A Currys store half a mile from the centre was ransacked. Looters walked out with large flat-screen televisions.
Shops including WH Smith, Halfords and Gamesmaster were targeted, as well as McDonald's, KFC and Nando's. Witnesses said people carried off armfuls of clothes and shoes and passed them to friends in cars.
There was community fury at rioters using Tottenham "as an excuse" for violence. Chuka Umunna, Labour MP for Streatham, said it would be "incorrect" to make comparisons with the "anger and frustration arising from the tragic death of a young man in Tottenham and a community that wanted answers".
Julian Whiting, 48, a former police officer, watched a mob go on the rampage. The bus he was travelling on was "rocked" and "they were throwing rocks". "I got off the bus and saw a whole load of police officers and their vehicle had been smashed," he said.
Matthew Turner, also on a bus travelling through Brixton at midnight, said the road was blocked by rioters using newspaper recyling bins as blockades. "Fires were being started in phone booths about 10 metres from where the bus was stationed. The bus was stationary for about 10 minutes before the driver decided to smash through the recycling bins.
"I was very surprised by the lack of police given that Brixton police station is only 100 metres down the road."
Three officers were taken to hospital after being hit by a vehicle in Chingford Mount, Waltham Forest, where a shop was being looted.
About 50 youths gathered in Oxford Circus, central London, causing damage to nearby property. A fight broke out when rival gangs attended King's College hospital after two victims of minor stabbings were admitted.
Shops in Enfield, north London, and the A10 retail park were ransacked, including a jewellers' attacked by about 200 youths who stole watches said to be worth £40,000. Two vehicles were reportedly set on fire.
More than 30 youths – many in masks – vandalised and looted shops in Walthamstow Central, the windscreen of a police vehicle was smashed after groups caused a disturbance in Islington and goods were stolen from a Tesco store in Ponders End.
Nick Clegg defended the government against accusations top ministers were on holiday as rioters brought chaos to London and markets crashed. The deputy prime minister said: "I reject completely this notion that somehow this government hasn't been functioning very effectively indeed last week and this week.
"Let's be clear, the violence we saw last night had absolutely nothing to do with the death of Mr Duggan. It was needless, opportunist theft and violence – nothing more and nothing less." The government stood "side by side" with victims in "utterly condeming" the rioting and looting.
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