Cameron to seek US aid in controlling gang violence

LONDON (AP):

Prime Minister David Cameron disclosed yesterday that Britain would look to the United States for solutions to gang violence after nights of riots and looting, and promised authorities would get strong powers to stop street mayhem erupting again.

Cameron told lawmakers he was "acting decisively to restore order on our streets", as police raided houses to round up suspects from four nights of unrest in London and other English cities.

Steve Kavanagh, the deputy assistant commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police, admitted the force initially did not deploy enough officers to control the outbreak of violence, saying "It is clear we did not have enough numbers on duty to deal."

Cameron also acknowledged that police had been overwhelmed by mobile groups of looters in the first nights of the rioting, and said authorities were considering new powers, including allowing police to order thugs to remove masks or hoods, evicting troublemakers from subsidised housing and temporarily disabling cellphone instant messaging services.

He said the 16,000 police deployed on London's streets to deter rioters and reassure residents would remain through the weekend.

"We will not let a violent few beat us," Cameron said.