Problems in London

For the last week or so, there have been riots (violence, people throwing missiles, people setting fire to things) in London, and several other big cities in England, like Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Leicester.

It's happening in lots of different places, here's a map that shows the places that are affected: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/interactive/2011/aug/09/uk-riots-incident-map

Most people are shocked by it all... it isn't a protest, there is no political agenda. It's mostly poor young people who are rioting - the youngest person arrested was only 11 years old!

People seem to be stealing things (like mobile phones, trainers, and televisions); breaking windows; and setting cars, shops and buildings on fire.

Here are some pictures - fires, riot police, rioters stealing things in a shop: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/194525/20110808/london-riot-pictures-2011-photos-tottenham-police.htm

There are some happier pictures too, of people trying to stop rioters: http://yfrog.com/kj5oewj, or helping the police: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixel-eight/6024429000/

Some people are seeing the funny side, like this website http://photoshoplooter.tumblr.com/ (A lot of these pictures have been photoshopped - the picture is altered to make it look funny or strange or interesting.)

Sending our thoughts to everyone affected by the riots in England, stay safe!