Steve Clifford, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, comments: "The arson, looting, violence and vandalism carried out in the past few days is both shocking and unacceptable.

"It's our communities that are being ransacked. Neighbours are losing their livelihoods and lives are being put at risk. Against such a background, the Church is already taking immediate action.

"Christians are present on the street and participating in the clear-up by offering encouragement and support to the emergency services and their neighbours while praying for peace.

"Once this madness is over, some serious and far-ranging questions need to be asked. How do we respond to pockets of young men and women growing up in our inner city areas who have been failed by education, have little hope of finding employment and to whom the gang is their community?"