POLICE have made 48 arrests, with 16 people charged, following this week's outbreak of violence and looting across Redbridge.

Monday evening's disorder began in Ilford before spreading to Woodford Green where the Woodford Carpet Shop, in the High Road, was torched in the early hours of Tuesday.

Richard Miles jewellers in George Lane, South Woodford was looted and Nationwide bank in the same street had its windows smashed in, also on the same evening.

And speaking at a meeting of local community, faith, voluntary and business leaders at Ilford Town Hall last night (Thursday), borough commander Detective Chief Superintendent Sue Williams, revealed that more arrests were on their way.

She said: “We still have warrants to serve.

“Whether it takes weeks or months, we will bring people to justice.”

She added that 63 per cent of those arrested so far come from Redbridge, 57 per cent are unemployed and 95 per cent are men.

Det Ch Supt Williams told those gathered that while out talking to local business people in the borough earlier in the day, she herself had arrested a person associated with the disorder.

She was joined at the meeting by the borough’s crown prosecutor, Lorna Burns, who said most of those in court had been charged with offences of violent disorder and burglary.

Many of those in the audience expressed worry about the number of children involved in the disorder.

But chief services to young people officer, Ronke Martins-Taylor, told them that just two per cent of those arrested over violence in the borough were under the age of 16.

Despite the fact that police in the borough were working around the clock, Det Ch Supt Williams said her officers were coping well.

She added: “In some respects morale is very good.

“It’s a bit like the war effort.”