UK riots: Millionaire’s daughter, girl (11) arrested

arrested behind the wheel of a car filled with stolen electrical goods and alcohol worth US$7 500.
In Nottingham, an 11-year old girl was charged with attempted criminal damage and she was remanded in custody, a police spokesman said.

A statement from France’s New Anti-Capitalist Party said yesterday that the rioters’ grievances were “legitimate” and are shared by millions.
They added that the riots were “an understandable response from youths in abandoned areas to the “austerity measures” taken by the government, the far-left party said.

“The real thugs are those who cut public services, the thieves are those who continue to pocket mind-boggling profits in a time of crisis, the delinquents are those who continue to lay off workers,” it said.

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Meanwhile, courts around Britain struggled yesterday to cope with a huge influx of people arrested during this week’s riots.
Meanwhile, over 10 countries – most of them European – have issued travel warnings advising their citizens to avoid unnecessary trips to the riot-plagued United Kingdom.
Popular British newspaper, the Telegraph, yesterday admitted the riots had humiliated Britain which is always at the forefront of criticising President Mugabe for alleged human rights abuses.

British cities, among them London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol, have been hit by the worst riots and widespread looting since last Saturday following the shooting of a 29-year-old black man in Tottenham by the British police.

They accused Mark Duggan of dealing in illicit drugs.
The riots have spread to other major cities in the UK and have so far claimed four lives.
Ironically, Italy, where British Prime Minister David Cameroon was holidaying with his family when the riots broke out, was the first to advise its citizens against travelling to Britain.

Britain’s close allies such as the United States of America and Australia have also warned their citizens to avoid non-essential travelling to the UK.
The US posted a warning on its website urging its citizens in the UK to follow media reports on latest developments in the troubled country.

“Follow local media reports and be aware of what is going on around you. If you find yourself near any civil unrest, leave and if you see trouble move away from the scene,” reads part of the statement.

The US urged its citizens to call the police in any case of emergency or to seek assistance from its embassy in London.
Australia initially said uncommitted travellers were likely to put on hold their plans until some kind of stability returns.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs made some amendments to the warning urging its citizens in the UK to avoid the riots and demonstrations.
“Violent riots, looting and arson have occurred at locations across London (including Tottenham, Hackney, Brixton, Lewsham, Peckham, Croydon, Woolwich, Clapham Junction, Enfield and Ealing) and cities outside London (including Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol).

“Clashes between police and rioters are ongoing; violence may spread to other cities. Australians in the United Kingdom should avoid all demonstrations and protests, monitor the media information on possible new safety or security risks and follow the instructions of local authorities,” said the Australian Government.

The Germany foreign ministry also issued travel advice, warning its citizens to exercise caution.
It told travellers to immediately pull back if confronted with any signs of disturbance and to follow advice given by security forces.
In Africa, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa have also joined the growing list of countries that are issuing travel warnings to the UK.

In a statement, the Uganda government said: “Following the rioting and looting that has spread across one of the world’s richest countries, all Ugandans, East Africans and Indians planning to travel to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland are advised to rethink their travel plans.

“It is advised that only trips of absolute necessity be made. Since many Ugandans wed in August, those intending to have their honeymoon in the UK are advised to avoid London, where many tourist attractions have been torched by rioters. If they fly to Heathrow, they should desist from leaving the airport for the city.”

South Africa said: “We are advising South Africans whose travel is non-essential to consider postponing or delaying their trips to that country.”
Spokesman Mr Clayson Monyela said the South African government was monitoring the situation closely through its High Commission in London.
“The High Commission is readily available to assist any South African national who may require such,” said the statement.

Kenya had also issued a travel advisory to over 150 000 of its citizens in the UK.
The Kenyans have been warned not to travel to areas affected by the riots.
Those living in the worst-hit areas such as Wolverhampton and Birmingham have been advised to remain indoors.

“We advise Kenya nationals against all but essential travel to the area’s most affected by the riots. Kenyan nationals should stay away from demonstrations and large gatherings of people, exercise caution and observe instructions given by local security authorities,” reads the statement on the website.

Iran, which is widely accused of human rights violations by the UK, has advised its nationals in Britain to be on high alert.
In a published statement by Press TV, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, defended the rioters.

“The true opposition in Britain is the people that are pushed to the ground and beaten on London’s streets and slain and yet no one hears their voice,” he was quoted as saying.
The riots exposed the British government and had left the county with a toll task to cleanse its battered image ahead of what is meant to be Britain’s big tourism year.
London’s 2012 summer Olympics are less than a year away and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee begins in less than five months. — The Herald, AFP, AP, Reuters and The Telegraph.

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