Will the riots spread to Soho and the West end?

After a third night of riots and further stirrings of unrest

across London today, it seems that nowhere is safe. Yesterday saw the third day

of rioting, with the South East London towns of Lewisham and Woolwich and

perhaps more surprisingly, Ealing.

16,000 police officers will be on the streets tonight as all leave has been

cancelled and this is hoped to quell any further uprising. But is it enough?

Oxford Street was battering down the hatches yesterday and

there was a stronger police presence here than seen in other towns, with

officers guarding the larger stores such as Topshop and Niketown. There was

little action in the West End in comparison to the hardest hit, but how long

will it last?

Do you think it possible that the rioters could target Soho?

I contacted Niketown, Topshop. W H Smith on Oxford Street and was told that

there was no reported damaged to the best of their knowledge. The Apple store

was more cautious however and hired security to protect its West End branch – a

wise move in light of the fact that these rioters appear to be heading for

electronics stores unsurprisingly.

The big question for us in Soho and the West end is whether

the rioting continues into central London tonight or will the extra policing

measures be enough to prevent similar scenes, damaging homes and businesses.

Keep the community updated with any news of stirrings, your views and photos.

Be safe.