Statement on recent disturbances

The Council this morning (9 August) forcefully condemned the outbreaks of violent disorder that took place in Kensington and Chelsea overnight.

Though not on the scale experienced by Croydon, Ealing and elsewhere, a series of incidents took place in the north and south of the borough that damaged property and alarmed law abiding citizens.

"The behaviour seen last night is utterly intolerable," said Council Leader, Sir Merrick Cockell.

"I, like many others, look forward to a day in the not too distant future when the courts send a clear message to these thugs and thieves that the streets belong to us, not them.

"Our job now is to clear up the mess and get the borough back to normality and we are hard at work on that already."

The Leader also paid tribute to local police, who bravely confronted the gangs.

"For obvious reasons, local police were under strength last night,"said Sir Merrick.

"That’s plainly not ideal when you find yourself up against a disinhibited 70 strong gang. We salute our police for their courage."