CONVICTED rioters should be stripped of benefits under measures being considered by Chingford MP Ian Duncan Smith.

The Work and Pension Secretary said he would prefer to see courts take on responsibility for the implementing the proposals, if adopted.

Shops in Chingford were targeted by looters as a wave of violence spread across London.

CCTV footage shows a suspected looter driving a car at two officers in Chingford Mount Road in the early hours of August the 8.

The incident is being treated as attempted murder.

The government has promised tough measures in response to the disturbances and Mr Duncan Smith said he believes benefits should be removed as part of the judicial process.

He said: “The principle is right now if you are incarcerated you would lose your benefits and if you are in a job with a conviction your are likely to lose your job.

“But if you get a suspended sentence you don't lose your benefits. Somehow it does not seem right.

But John Cryer, Labour MP for Leyton, warned the measure could lead to increase in crime.

He said: “It would probably mean that more crimes are committed and people made homeless in the long run.

“I have no problem with people who are put away for these crimes, but the benefits system is not part of the criminal system.”

The proposal, which has the support of the Prime Minister, is also likely to cause tensions within the coalition Government.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes warned against ‘knee jerk reactions’ which remove ‘public support for the needy’.

Senior Conservatives have also expressed support a move to evict rioters from social housing - a policy being adopted by a number of London councils.

A pilot scheme in Waltham Forest, which involves a crackdown on gang activity followed by offers of support to families, is set to rolled out across London.

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