Courts will sit 24/7 to jail rioting thugs

COURTS will sit 24 hours a day to ensure "criminal thugs" rioting across the country face justice as soon as possible.

- Chistian Calgie

Senior Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson said the Government is determined to support the police and ensure those terrorising the streets are "brought to book", with swift consequences for those marauding and attacking officers.

By last night 147 arrests had already been made, including in Sunderland where a police station was set alight and a car was overturned and torched in violent scenes on Friday night. Thugs also let off fire extinguishers at riot police trying to maintain order on the streets.

Warrants were carried out in the city centre and on the Ford Estate at the weekend, with those arrested including a woman of 43 on suspicion of violent disorder, and a man of 55 on suspicion of provoking violence.

Pressed on reports that courts will sit at night, Dame Diana said the Prime Minister has been "very clear" that the Government will do "whatever it takes to make sure people can get through the court system".