Ed Miliband calls for 'rapid response' from government

Ed Miliband called today for a "rapid response" from the Government to aid victims of the rioting in cities across England.

The Labour leader branded the violence and vandalism witnessed overnight in Manchester, Salford, Birmingham and Wolverhampton "disgraceful criminal behaviour".

He said the priority was doing what was necessary to "end the sense of fear" many families were now feeling.

Mr Miliband said: "We continue to need the strongest possible police response to restore calm and security to our streets. There must be no no-go areas for the police.

"But as well as vigilance against the spread of violence, we are calling from a rapid response from the Government to help those communities hit hardest by these riots to get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

"We need now to respond to the very real sense from those affected that they won't stand by and allow their communities to be bullied by this violence."

Mr Miliband said "immediate help" was needed for those who had lost their homes and businesses.

He urged the Government to work with the insurance industry "to put in place fast-track procedures with immediate effect so that individuals and businesses making claims do not have to wait for the money they need to start putting things right".

He added: "It also means providing targeted financial support for the most affected councils. They must be given access to funds from central government to address the damage to public spaces and infrastructure, and to provide the immediate support for those innocent victims of this violence who have seen their homes and small businesses damaged or destroyed.

"Those who have been the immediate victims of this inexcusable violence cannot be left to cope alone."