Riots spread in London, questions raised over security of 2012 Olympics

LONDON: The British capital continued to smoulder under a series of 'copycat' riots that engulfed the city for a second day, with looting and arson reported in new areas, just miles from the site of next year's Olympic Games, prompting authorities to arrest as many as 160 people.

Groups of masked youth looted shops, attacked police officers and set fire to vehicles in raging violence, sparked by the killing of a youth in police shooting in Tottenham, raising questions over security of the 2012 Games.

London police launched a massive investigation into what they described as 'copycat criminal' violence, as home secretary Theresa May rushed back from her summer holiday.

She warned that those responsible "will be made to face the consequences of their actions".

Irate mobs looted a giant electrical retail store in the black-dominated southern area of Brixton as violence was reported in several boroughs in north, south and east London following earlier trouble in Tottenham in the north.

Even the posh Oxford Circus at the heart of the city's tourist area also reported sporadic violence.

May, who is flying back today from her summer holiday has been in contact with senior politicians and police officials after the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan, 29, by police during a peaceful protest in Tottenham on Thursday prompted violent riots on Saturday night.

May warned that those responsible "will be made to face the consequences of their actions" and called on all members of local communities to work constructively with the police to help them bring "these criminals to justice".