THE community united to protect Chingford from criminals following days of violent unrest across London.

A number of businesses were targeted by looters last week in the wake of riots in other parts of London.

Shops in Station Road were broken into the night after three police officers were injured when they confronted looters in Chingford Mount Road.

A police safer neighbourhood team office and a Children’s centre on the Chingford Hall Estate were vandalised.

A group calling itself the Defenders of Chingford was formed on Facebook and has now attracted more than 1,000 members.

Residents began patrolling the streets following the riots in Tottenham, with two members on hand to help the victims of the Station Road looting in the early hours of last Monday (August 8).

The group also gathered information on incidents and checked rumours of unrest to reassure the public.

The group’s founder, who asked to be known as Tom Peacemaker, 30, said volunteers were not vigilantes, but just residents with community spirit who want to bring people together.

He added: “We don't want to fight anybody. It is about coming together so the community knows what is going in their area.

“There are people who are scared they will lose businesses they have worked all their life to build and there are women and children and elderly people sitting at home scared."

He added there are plans to form a permanent group to help police protect the area. Group member Tolga Ulasan, 26, of Westward Road, said the group has helped to make his parents feel less scared about going out in the wake of the unrest.

He added: “It has been a big help to me and my family because when the troubles started it was very nerve racking for them.

“Even doing the simplest thing like taking the dog out was a worry for them.

“Rumours and hearsay are a nightmare and help to drive people's fear and paranoia levels up.”

“We want to be about a community that is against what has been going on.”

Ryan Woolnough, 27, of New Road, said the group includes members from all walks of life.

He added: "It's about getting people to respect the area where they live again - something I think has been lost."