Police say they expect to make many more arrests in connection with this month's rioting and looting, as they vow to hunt down those responsible.
More than 50 businesses were attacked and three officers injured in the borough during the disorder which swept London on Sunday August 7 and Monday August 8.
Last week the council said more than 60 people had been arrested on suspicion of disorder in Waltham Forest, although the Met is currently only officially releasing London-wide figures.
Waltham Forest superintendent Adrian Hutchinson said investigations had made significant progress in one of the biggest cases the force had ever dealt with.
He said: "This isn't a 25 minute episode of The Bill. We start with an arrest but then have issues such as identification, witnesses, DNA and so on.
"It will take some time to build up a complete picture.
"But we can say quite a significant number of those suspected to be involved were already known to the police.
"It's too early to really understand the full dynamics but much of it appears to have been carried out by opportunistic criminals."
Superintendent Hutchinson also played down claims by Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith that gangs were behind much of it and had called a "truce" to co-ordniate unrest.
"Most of the suspects are under 30 but it's quite a mix of people," he said.
Last week CCTV images of five suspects were released, although the exact location of where in the borough it was taken has not been revealed for "operational reasons".
More footage is expected next week.
Superintendent Hutchinson said that, while the attacks had been devastating for traders, community resilience had been strong.
He added: "For me and my officers it's been extremely humbling to see so many people appreciative of what we have been doing.
“All over the borough people have been offering us cups of tea and cakes, we've never seen anything like it.
"Everyone has pulled together and now it's about harnessing the community spirit that has built up around this to make this borough an even better place than it already is.
“The community can also really help us by providing vital information. I would say to the public don't assume we have already been contacted about someone. We would much rather have too many calls about someone than none.”
Those with information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
MEN CHARGED OVER LOOTING
Police have begun to release details of suspects charged with looting in the borough.
Peejay Spence, 19, of Myrtle Road in Walthamstow, is due to appear in court today (Tuesday August 23) accused of burgling Bhs and CEX in the Selbourne Walk Mall in Walthamstow.
Shaun Patrick Hill, 31, of Siddons Road in Tottenham, is accused of looting from Aristocrats clothes shop in Chingford Mount Road, Chingford. He is also charged with stealing from an electrical store in Tottenham High Road. Police have not said when he will appear in court.
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