Tower Hamlets politicians unite to condemn violence

Apart from incidents on the Isle of Dogs there was rioting in Bethnal Green, with five police officers injured when a mob of 25 youths looted a jewellery store in Roman Road.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: "We've witnessed scenes of destruction and criminality on a huge and terrifying scale across London over the past few days.

"Although at the time of issuing this statement, my own constituency of Poplar and Limehouse has not seen the same level of violence, there have been some worrying reports, and I join with all decent people locally in condemning any such outbreaks of violence and disorder.

"The safety of the public is my main priority. Harm to people is most worrying, but damage to homes and businesses, and looting of premises, is to be condemned in the strongest terms and countered with a strong and reassuring response from our local police service.

"We will employ the necessary means and methods and morals to defeat any sign of mob rule in our communities."

Mayor Rahman told The Wharf: "We are working in partnership with the police. The borough commander came down and I've been in touch with him all day. We can assist them and they can assist us.

"The borough commander was in Whitechapel with me today and gave out a message to kids in the borough not to go out and get involved in this mindless vandalism and looting.

"There's a lot of rumour going round. Let's work together. Let's be vigilant. Let's protecet our businesses, our homes, our community.

"Whether you are white or black, Bengali or non-Bengali, muslim or non-muslim, it's irrelevant. We are all part of the same community, and let's protect it.

"I've lived here since I was four years old and I've never seen anything like this before. We had the National Front fascists here in the early 1970s, but nothing of this kind."

The Conservative councillors from the Isle of Dogs will be out on the streets tonight to monitor the situation and urged constituents to contact them if they are worried.

Cllr Gloria Thienel said: "We want to reassure people who are worried about what's happening. We've got to stop this mindless violence. I've lived in the East End all my life and it breaks my heart to see what they are doing to my part of London."