COMMUNITY volunteers have been providing support for hard-working police officers and ambulance workers as they work extra shifts to cope with possible disturbances following riots in London.

A canteen providing food and drink, as well an opportunity for well-earned rest, has been set up by workers at St Mary's church in Walthamstow Village.

The respite centre in Church End has been running since last Monday (August 8) after violence spread to Waltham Forest.

Police officers’ annual leave was cancelled and extra teams were drafted to work extra shifts following unrest across London.

Despite several days of calm, police continued patrols and requested that the centre stayed open until this week.

Organiser Andy Campbell, 39, said the centre had been set up following a request from Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy.

He said: "It's been really good. At first we were just providing tea and cakes but we've been inundated with support and had all kinds of donations now, we've been able to serve proper meals.

"There's a lot of police working in Waltham Forest at the moment from other forces who don't know the area and the local police do not have a canteen, so it's been very popular.

"They're working all day and might not have anywhere to go for a rest, so they seem to really appreciate it."

The centre has been coordinated via Twitter. The social networking site has been criticised after claims it has been used to co-ordinate unrest and spread rumours.

But Mr Campbell said the work at St Mary's demonstrated it could be a force for good. "Our use of Twitter has really brought a lot of people together", he added.

"There are people who already knew each other through the site but were meeting in person for the first time, and we're seeing people becoming friends in close contact after just a few days."

The canteen is still looking for volunteers and donations over the next few days.

Email stowrespite@gmail.com or text 07505 126167 if you would like to help.

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