MAYOR Of London Boris Johnson surveyed the damage to Enfield Town from Sunday’s riots and vowed that he would do “all in his power” to prevent similar events from ever happening again.

Vandals rampaged through the town centre on Sunday night, looting stores and smashing windows as riot police on horseback and dog handlers battled to keep control of the streets.

Speaking to local residents and traders on Wednesday afternoon, the mayor apologised for the violence and said that the police were “well on the way” to restoring order after three nights of destruction in London saw 16,000 police officers on patrol across the capital on Tuesday night.

Mr Johnson was widely cheered as he visited worst affected shops G Mantella jewellers and HMV, along with Enfield Police borough comander Dave Tucker and Enfield North MP Nick de Bois, although he did receive a grilling from others as to why police had so far struggled to contain rioters and looters.

However, the mayor did not shirk any questions and pledged to help affected traders get back on their feet.

He said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communtities and we will do all we can to help them get back up and running.”

Mr Johnson also gave his backing for people to use “reasonable force” to defend their homes and businesses as hundreds of Enfield residents have united to form a controversial “riot squad” which has been out in force patrolling the streets since Tuesday.

“I’d rather that people did not get involved, that’s why we have greatly increased the police presence,” he said. “But I’m all in favour of people coming together to help the community, as long as there is not targeted aggression of any kind.”

Source: Enfield Advertiser