Three Die in Birmingham As Rioting Continues

London remained relatively calm last night, although rioting has continued in other cities, including Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham and Birmingham.

Three men, aged 31, 30 and 21, were killed in Birmingham when they were hit by a car. According to reports, the men were believed to be attempting to protect their neighbourhood and business at the time. A 32-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of murder.

More than a hundred people were arrested by West Midlands Police as rioting and looting continued in Birmingham, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton. Vehicles were also set on fire.

Around 110 people were arrested in Manchester and Salford, where hundreds of youths torched shops, cars and buildings.

Minor disturbances were also reported in Leicester, Reading, Oxford and Milton Keynes.

Around 16,000 police officers were deployed onto the streets of London last night in a bid to stop the disturbances and the capital remained largely calm. Downing Street has confirmed that the increased level of policing would remain in place "as long as necessary".

Rioting had been continuing in London for three nights, after it began following a peaceful protest in Tottenham over the fatal police shooting of Mark Duggan. The Independent Police Complaints Commission has now confirmed that a handgun found at the scene where the 29-year-old was shot in Tottenham last week had not been fired.

Around 111 Metropolitan police officers have been injured in the rioting and five police dogs have also been injured.

Prime Minister David Cameron cut short his family holiday in Tuscany to return to deal with the crisis. Parliament is being recalled today and Mr Cameron held his second meeting with the Cabinet's emergency committee Cobra , as well as police officers, this morning.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Cameron said that the violence was "simply not acceptable and it will be stopped".

He said that there are contingency plans for water cannons to be available at 24 hours' notice.

England's friendly match against Holland, which was due to take place at Wembley this evening has been called off.

(KMcA/BMcC)