Appeal to catch rioters brings 'phenomenal' public response

Police have received a "phenomenal" response to an appeal to help catch suspects involved in the summer riots in London.

Scotland Yard said the biggest appeal for suspects so far had generated "dozens" of calls to the charity Crimestoppers' anonymous phoneline.
Police released more than 200 images of suspects, including 12 which senior officers described as the most wanted in London.

Detectives say they believe they have identified several of the rioters featured in the images - but they have to carry out further work to establish if the information is accurate.

Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Greany said:
"We are hugely grateful to everyone who called."
One woman featured as wanted in the Standard yesterday wearing a "I love London" T-shirt has been spoken to by police officers and has been cleared of any involvement.

Today it also emerged that the son of a former police watchdog had been cleared after being held on suspicion of looting a phone shop in the riots.

Police arrested Mark Duvall, the son of London Assembly Labour group leader Len Duvall, after someone claimed to have recognised him on CCTV. His father said the allegation could have been malicious.

Police have arrested 3,629 people in connection with the August riots. Meanwhile, 444 wanted criminals have been arrested in a "pre-Christmas purge". All were wanted for offences including robbery, burglary and domestic violence, and all had failed to appear at court or had skipped police bail.