A TEENAGER from Chingford has been arrested on suspicion of taking part in the initial Tottenham riot which led to the widespread disorder across London last summer.

The 17-year-old, who is a suspected gang member but cannot be named for legal reasons, is being held on suspicion of violent disorder along with six others.

The riots began in August 2011 after police shot dead father-of-four Mark Duggan, 29, in Tottenham.

A protest in the area two days later over the alleged lack of information about his death turned violent after an alleged confrontation between a teenage girl and police.

It was followed by several days of riots which spread across London, including Waltham Forest, and then to other parts of the England such as Birmingham.

Raids were carried out this morning (Thursday May 31) in Hackney, Enfield and Haringey, as well as Chingford, by officers as part of the Met's Operation Withern.

Five of those arrested are men aged between 17 and 19.

A 19-year-old woman, who is not suspected of being a gang member, was also arrested, as was a 15-year-old boy who handed himself in to police this afternoon.

DCI Ian Elliott said: "These individuals are suspected to have been involved in the initial disorder seen in Tottenham that clearly acted as a catalyst for the further acts of disorder which erupted across London last August."

Sources claim Mr Duggan was on his way to Chingford when police stopped his taxi and shot him.

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