The violence was fuelled by social media as hundreds tweeted a picture of a police car on fire. Other demonstrators posted pictures and videos of the violence and destruction in a show of bravado.
A two-minute film of a police car being trashed by rioters was posted on YouTube to a rap soundtrack.
The clip finished with the words: “The enemy isn’t your own people, the enemy is the police.”
If the shooting of Mark Duggan was the cause of the trouble, the catalyst for its escalation appears to have been alleged police brutality against a 16-year-old girl.
In unconfirmed reports, some witnesses claimed she approached officers to ask questions, but then threw stones at them and one struck her to the ground with a baton.
One local said: “There was a stand-off with the police which was tense, but not violent. Cars were already burning, but there were no injuries at this point.
“But this changed when an officer hit a woman with a baton. She was very distressed and it angered the crowd who started throwing rocks, pint glasses and poles at the police. Then it all got really out of hand.”
Police on Sunday said they were aware of an incident when a teenage girl was asked to leave the area but said no baton was used.
However, in the highly charged atmosphere of Saturday night, word of the alleged incident appears to have spread like wildfire, and posts soon began appearing on Twitter about it.
One said: “Apparently 16-year-old girl approached police asking for answers and police ‘set up on her and beat her”.
Amid the anger over this perceived injustice, hundreds more took to the streets and declared war on the police.
As the violence escalated, further tweets inflated the situation.
One user calling himself “English Frank” posted: “Everyone up and roll to Tottenham f*** the 50 [police]. I hope one dead tonight.”
Many who flocked to the scene were simply intent on causing trouble and stealing what they could.
“Want to roll Tottenham to loot. I do want a free TV. Who wouldn’t,” posted one troublemaker. Another said: “F*** the electronics, them Turkish jewellers needed to get robbed.”
And a post on an internet forum simply read: “Everything must go.”
JaydaMalz added: “I’m glad there’s a riot in Tottenham cos they didn’t need to kill him. I might join this riot.”
Ashley AR tweeted: “I hear Tottenham’s going coco-bananas right now. Watch me roll.” And another tweeter said: “Heading back to Tottenham for this riot. I told them they had it coming, now is the chance.”
Photographs of looters pushing shopping trolleys full of stolen goods including plasma TVs and mobile phones were also posted online. One tweeter wryly observed: “Nothing restores justice and equality like a 52-inch 3D TV.”
On Sunday, the fevered atmosphere in Tottenham was intensified by pictures on Twitter of violence spreading to neighbouring London boroughs.
They showed an HMV store in Enfield, North London, which appeared to have been looted, and several police vans parked outside a Tesco, which had been the scene of some scuffles.
Police are scrutinising tweets and messages left on internet forums and could press charges if they consider they amount to incitement to riot. Metropolitan Police Commander Adrian Hanstock said: “There has been some speculation on social media sites and we are actively posting accurate information to correct this.
“What we would ask for is if anyone has information about those who committed these offences or anyone intending to, then please let us know and help us to protect your community.” - Daily Mail