A millionaire’s daughter accused of looting £6,000 worth of electrical goods, alcohol and cigarettes during the riots is to go on trial at a Crown court.

Former grammar school girl Laura Johnson, 19, faces three charges of theft and two of intent to steal after the haul was found in a Smart car allegedly driven by her. 

Accused: Millionare's daughter Laura Johnson faces five charges of burglary connected with the London riots

Her bail conditions stipulate that she must wear an electronic tag and spend each night at her parents’ large detached farmhouse – which has its own tennis court – in Orpington, Kent.

She must also observe a curfew between 7pm and 6am, and is not allowed to enter London except to visit her lawyers and attend court.

Appearing at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court yesterday, supported by her mother Lindsay, Johnson looked composed as her case was sent to Inner London Crown Court, which has greater sentencing powers.

She smiled as she listened to proceedings at the back of the court dressed in a grey cable knit cardigan, jeans and brown leather boots.

She will appear at the Crown court on October 5.

Her solicitor, Michael Freeman, confirmed that she was currently unable to return to Exeter University, where she is studying English and Italian.

Party girl: Johnson on Facebook at a boozy picnic with a friend

She is accused with Alexander Elliot-Joahill, 18, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons of stealing £5,000-worth of electrical goods from Currys, £500 worth of items from Comet and £500 worth of alcohol and cigarettes from a BP petrol station, all in Woolwich, south-east London.

The other two charges relate to attempts to burgle a nearby Halfords and PC World.

Price-tagged TVs, a microwave, mobile phones and jewellery were all found in the boot of the car she was allegedly driving.

Johnson had been a high-flying pupil at Newstead Wood School in Bromley, south-east London.

She is also a former pupil of St Olave’s Grammar School in Orpington, the fourth best performing state school in the country.

She got A*s in French, English literature, classical civilisation and geography A-levels, before going to Exeter University.

Last month at her bail hearing, Johnson denied all five charges.

 

 

 

 

Family support: Miss Johnson leaves Camberwell Magistrates Court alongside her mother Lindsay Johnson after the brief hearing

Her parents run Avongate, a direct marketing company, from their home and her father, Robert, is a director of several companies.

He was a director in one firm that took over the Daily Sport and Sunday Sport newspapers in 2007.

At a separate court hearing yesterday, a shamed Olympics youth ambassador pleaded guilty to a string of offences over two nights of rioting in Enfield and Hackney.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Country pile: After facing five burglary charges, Johnson was bailed to her parents' plush gated country home in Orpington, Kent

Appearing at Wood Green Crown Court, Chelsea Ives, 18, of Leytonstone, admitted criminal damage, burglary with intent to steal and violent disorder.

Her appalled mother, Adrienne, who was in court yesterday, handed her in to police after she saw footage of her daughter throwing rocks at a police car on TV.

Judge Shaun Lyons adjourned sentencing to a date yet to be set.

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File picture: Len Duvall, former chairman of the Met Police Authority

A man held on suspicion of looting a mobile phone store in the riots is the son of a former police boss, it emerged today.

Mark Duvall, 26, was arrested on Friday in connection with an attack on a Vodafone shop in Woolwich, South London.

His father Len was chairman of the Met Police Authority and is leader of the Labour Group on the London Assembly.

Last week Mr Duvall OBE, the London Assembly member for Greenwich and Lewisham, called for public help to track down the rioters.

He said: ‘I’m dismayed and outraged by the mindless violence, theft, criminal damage and risk to life we have seen in Greenwich and Lewisham and around London.

‘I’m urging anyone with information, families and friends who might know people caught up in all this, to speak to the police.’

Scotland Yard have confirmed a 26-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary and has been released on bail.

A source told the Sunday Mirror: ‘Len knows all the senior officers. This is a bit of a nightmare.’

 

• Johnny Melfah accused of posting messages on a group called ‘Letz start a riot’

• Home Secretary Theresa May has urged courts to name more youth defendants

A 16-year-old boy who allegedly tried to incite a riot on Facebook has had his right to anonymity taken away by a judge – in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.

Johnny Melfah is accused of posting a number of messages on a group online called ‘Letz start a riot’.

Jordan Blackshaw, 20, and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, were last week jailed for four years after creating Facebook pages that urged rioting in their home towns.

Accused: Johnny Melfah, 16, left, allegedly posted messages on the Facebook group 'Letz start a riot' which Danny Cook, 21, right, is accused of creating

Melfah, from Droitwich, Worcestershire, is thought to be the first child in the country charged in connection with rioting to be publicly identified even though he has not yet entered a plea.

Magistrate Chris Size, sitting at Worcester Magistrates’ Court, decided to lift an anonymity order and ruled identifying Melfah would be in the public interest.

The Crown Prosecution Service issued new guidance urging prosecutors to try and persuade judges to identify youth defendants if it is in the ‘public interest’.

Home Secretary Theresa May has also urged the courts to name youth defendants named in disturbances, where possible.

The names of children on trial aged between 10 and 17 cannot be revealed unless an order is lifted.

It is usually only in the most high-profile cases – such as the killing of two-year-old James Bulger – that child defendants are named.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, told the court that Melfah had posted messages about arranging a riot in Worcester city centre.

He was detained by police outside a branch of McDonalds with a group of youths on the night of August 9.

‘He was arrested outside McDonalds,’ said Mr Dodson. ‘It cannot be clear as to what exactly he was doing there on that night.’

Danny Cook, 21, from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, also appeared before the court accused of founding the Facebook group.

On the page information Cook allegedly posted: ‘I started the group for people who want to riot but are sat at home.

‘I wanted to start a riot in Worcester, like many young people in Birmingham have, free iPads available.’

He also apparently wrote: ‘There’s loads of people who just want to get involved, that is why I started this group, LMAO.’

The group had 44 members by August 9.

Melfah and Cook are both charged with intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of widespread thefts and criminal damage via the social networking site during the recent riots.

Melfah, who wore a blue hooded top, was released on bail and will appear before Worcester Youth Court today.

Cook was also bailed and will appear before Worcester Magistrates’ Court on October 8.

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• Painter and decorator ‘caught on camera starting blaze’ that destroyed iconic furniture store

• ‘Scooter looter’ suspect to appear before magistrates

A 70-year-old man is the oldest person arrested during the rioting after looting a supermarket, it emerged today.

The pensioner accepted a caution after admitting theft from the Sainsbury’s store in Ealing, west London.

He was one of more than 200 people to raid the store as violence raged on the streets.

 

The pensioner raided the store as Richard Mannington Bowes was killed as he tried to protect the community from rioters.

The 68-year-old died several days later after being attacked on August 8 at the peak of the rioting.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard revealed the oldest person arrested was the 70-year-old who was held on the same night on suspicion of theft.

‘The oldest person arrested was a 70-year-old man arrested on August 8 in connection with theft from a shop in West Ealing. He was cautioned,’ he said. The man has not been named.

Another man was today accused of starting the furniture blaze in Croydon, south London, destroying more than 100 years of trading history.

Gordon Thompson, 33, lives minutes from Reeves of Croydon and set fire to the shop by putting a lighter to a sofa in the window, a judge heard, an act that was allegedly caught on film.

 

The family business survived two World Wars but was reduced to ashes in hours during the disturbances earlier this month.

Shaven-headed painter and decorator Thompson made his first appearance at Crown court in custody.

Gregor McKinley, prosecuting, told Inner London Crown Court: ‘This case arises out of the civil disturbances and burning of Reeves furniture store in Croydon.

‘Footage was taken by a member of the public on mobile telephone, in which he is allegedly shown setting light to a sofa in a front window display.’

The film is said to show Thompson smashing the glass before putting a lighter flame to the settee.

 

Thompson is also accused of looting a laptop from Reeves and ‘various items’ from the nearby House of Fraser department store.

He did not indicate any pleas to two counts of arson, one of recklessly endangering life and the other with intent to endanger life, two of burglary and one of violent disorder on Monday, August 8, this year.

Judge Roger Chapple remanded the suspect in custody as before ahead of a pleas and case management hearing on September 26.

He said: ‘On the next occasion you will be asked whether you plead guilty or not guilty to the charges the prosecution bring.’ Thompson spoke only to confirm his name during the 10-minute hearing.

A teenager was also due to appear at Camberwell Green youth court today charged with robbing a man of  his scooter during the riots.

The  17-year-old from Hornsey is  one of several suspects wanted for the theft in Croydon.

Footage of the attack was placed on YouTube and show a youth pulling the man from his scooter.

 

Riot victim: Richard Mannington Bowes

Ealing was one of the hotspots of trouble during riots in London.

Mr Mannington Bowes, who was attacked as he went to put out a fire in a dustbin, was placed on a life-support machine but died later.

A post-mortem examination revealed he died from head injuries.

Last week a 16-year-old boy accused of his murder was refused bail at the Old Bailey.

The youth, from Hounslow, west London, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in custody to appear at the same court on September 9.

He is also charged with violent disorder and four counts of burglary – relating to looting at a William Hill bookmaker’s, a Tesco Express, a Blockbuster video shop and a Fatboys restaurant.

The boy’s mother is accused of perverting justice by disposing of his clothing.

The Scotland Yard spokesman said today that, while the 70-year-old was the oldest man to be arrested in connection with riots, the oldest person charged in connection with disorder was John Maughan, 63, from Camden, north London, who was charged on August 12 with handling stolen goods.

Police have released dramatic video of yobs shooting at unarmed police on the ground and in a hovering helicopter during the height of the riots.

An attempted murder investigation has been launched after 11 shots were fired as police as they tried to control the disorder in the Birmingham suburb of Newtown late on August 9.

Officers had to duck for cover as petrol bombs were also thrown after money and alcohol was stolen from the Bartons Arms and it was set alight.

The footage shows about 40 masked men all wearing dark clothing, throwing chairs onto the road to create a barricade between them and police as they smash the windows of shops.

The crowd can then be seen running to another area, before one man holding a gun stops in the middle of the road.

He points the weapon up at the police helicopter, fires, and a puff of smoke is seen discharging as he stumbles back.

The yobs around him stand and watch.

The video then cuts to footage taken from inside the helicopter.

The man can be seen holding the gun up at least twice before running off.

The aircraft was not hit.

The Birmingham Mail reported that four spent 9mm bullet casings were found in the area by forensic teams the next day.

A number of bullets were understood to have been found in a nearby building and four cartridges were also found.

Police hope by releasing the footage members of the public will come forward with information on the identity of the offenders.

Chief Constable Chris Sims police had trawled through CCTV and conducted house-to-house enquiries.

‘Releasing footage that is so disturbing in nature is an unusual step for us as a force, however the potential for serious harm, or worse, in this incident has led us to this decision.

‘This footage shows seemingly coordinated criminal behaviour with no regard for people’s lives, whether it be through the setting of a fire, shooting at unarmed officers or shooting at the police helicopter.

‘This investigation is being treated as attempted murder and arson, and I am only thankful that this is not a murder inquiry.

‘This was not only police officers’ lives that were put at risk, but also members of the public who may have been passing by.

‘To date the public reaction to this operation has been overwhelming and we thank people for their continued support.

‘However, I must ask once again that anyone who can help our investigation to come forward.’

Birmingham has seen some of the worst violence since riots began after the police shooting of Mark Duggan in Tottenham on August 4.

Three men were killed trying to defend local shops in the area of Winson Green.

Haroon Jahan, 21, Shahzad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, died as a car swerved into them.

About 20,000 people gathered in Summerfield Park for their funeral on Thursday.

Nine men have been arrested in connection with their deaths.

The latest is a 28-year-old man from Winson Green on suspicion of murder.

A 33-year-old man was arrested yesterday and has since been released on police bail.

Four men – Ian Beckford, 30, Joshua Donald, 26, Adam King, 23, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named – have already been charged.

Three other males – aged 17, 23, and 32 – have been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

Days after the riots, Birmingham had made 330 arrests and Magistrates in Solihull have been working through the night to hear cases.

Police urged anyone with information of the thugs to phone 0345 1

Kristen Stewart temporarily has some time off because of the rioting in London. 

Production on her latest film, Snow White and the Huntsman, has come to a standstill because of safety issues. 

‘A friend of mine is stuck in London w/ #KristenStewart’s team. They JUST stopped #SnowWhite prep work until riots die down. #prayforlondon,” HollywoodLife.com reports. 

The site claims that both the 21-year-old actress and her Australian co-star, Chris Hemsworth, are in the care of six police officers. 

They’ve been instructed to stay in the rural areas where the film is being shot and far away from the city’s centre. 

Kristen’s fellow co-star and verbal sparring partner Charlize Theron has not arrived in the UK yet.

The two, who play Snow White and the Evil Queen, respectively, do get along despite their recent tongue-in-cheek argument at the Comic Con Convention in San Diego.

‘I’m ready for it, b*tch. Let’s go,” the 35-year-old South African joked last month.

She added that, despite not knowing Stewart, she had a feeling the Twilight star was going to ‘give me a run for my money.’

For her part, Robert Pattinson’s girlfriend decided to tackle the role because of its edginess. ‘I get to have a sword and stuff,’ she said. 

She also told the crowd of assembled fans that doing a traditional Snow White was not something ‘I was just jumping at.’ 

She may feel the same way about her non-traditional fairytale role quite soon as well. 

Meanwhile, the BBC1 Sherlock crew were also forced to halt filming amidst the chaos spreading across the country.

 

Boys, interrupted: Martin Freeman and Mark Gatiss were forced to halt shooting on BBC1 show Sherlock, following the UK riots

Mark Gatiss and Martin Freeman were pictured shooting scenes in Baker Street, bang in the middle of the capital, before filming came to a stop.

Both lead actors, who play Holmes and sidekick Watson respectively, were on set in North London when work was abandoned on the second series.

Gatiss delivered the news on trusty Twitter, saying: ‘This is a new one on me. Scene incomplete owing to approaching looters. Unbelievable times.’

 

Stopping for a brew: Mark and Martin were forced to take a break while shooting scenes in Baker Street

Hackney girl Leona Lewis also voiced her opinion on the riots, addressing fans though the social networking site.

She wrote: ’So upset by the riots. So close to my home and people’s homes and small businesses trashed for the wrong reason. It’s so wrong!

‘Saw the most horrendous image of a boy bleeding and some guys stealing stuff out of his back pack. So disturbing and evil, karma will get u’

Fellow chart-topper Jessie J, who hails from Redbridge, expressed her concerns, saying: ‘This is NOT how to gain respect. This is NOT how to get justice. This is NOT how to gain peace.’

But another homegrown star received criticism for her opinion, later deleting her online post.

Mitcham-born rapper M.I.A. appeared to support rioters, saying: ‘I’m going down to the riots to hand out tea and Mars Bars.’

Cut! Sherlock cast and crew had to stop filming in central London on their Baker Street location

He may live in Los Angeles now, but Russell Brand is still a Londoner at heart.

Heartfelt: Russell Brand posted a blog on his official website about the London riots

The 36-year-old comedian had his say on the recent riots in the capital by posting a lengthy blog on his official website entitled ‘Big Brother Isn’t Watching You’.

In the entry, Brand described the ‘sad and frightening’ news from his homeland and the guilt he felt for not being in the affected boroughs.

He wrote: ‘I’ve lived in Dalston, Hackney, Elephant, Camden and Bethnal Green.

‘I grew up round Dagenham and Romford and whilst I could never claim to be from the demographic most obviously affected I feel guilty that I’m not there now.

‘I feel proud to be English, proud to be a Londoner (alright an Essex boy) never more so than since being in exile and I naturally began to wonder what would make young people destroy their communities.’

Brand wrote that he has been trying to understand why the violence happened in the first place, agreeing that it is ‘unacceptable’ and ‘unjustifiable,’ but also added that we ‘work out why so many people feel utterly disconnected from the cities they live in.’

The Arthur actor recalled taking part in a number of protests in his early 20s that sometimes became ‘chaotic’.

He explained: ‘I found those protests exciting, yes because I was young and a bit of a twerp but also, I suppose, because there was a void in me.

‘A lack of direction, a sense that I was not invested in the dominant culture, that Government existed not to look after the interests of the people it was elected to represent but the big businesses that they were in bed with.’

‘Sad and frightening’: Brand said although he might live in Los Angeles now, he is still a proud Londoner at heart and was stunned by sights of the riots

 

Destruction: Cars were set on fire and thousands of shops looted in the riots

Brand, who is married to Katy Perry, went on to argue that politicians have created a ‘disenfranchised’ youth by serving their own career interests, rather than the needs of what people want.

He said: ‘I remember Cameron saying ‘hug a hoodie’ but I haven’t seen him doing it. Why would he? Hoodies don’t vote, they’ve realised it’s pointless, that whoever gets elected will just be a different shade of the ‘we don’t give a toss about you’ party.

‘Politicians don’t represent the interests of people who don’t vote. They barely care about the people who do vote. They look after the corporations who get them elected.

 

‘These young people have no sense of community because they haven’t been given one. If we don’t want our young people to tear apart our communities then don’t let people in power tear apart the values that hold our communities together.’

Brand concluded his blog by suggesting that the solution to the problem is ‘spiritual’ rather than political, quoting Gandhi: ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’

He added: ‘If we want to live in a society where people feel included, we must include them, where they feel represented, we must represent them and where they feel love and compassion for their communities then we, the members of that community, must find love and compassion for them.’

Hundreds of foreigners arrested for their part in the riots now face deportation.

Immigration Minister Damian Green has promised foreign rioters and looters will be thrown out of Britain at the ‘earliest opportunity’.

Around 150 of the 2,800 people arrested over the looting and arson attacks were born abroad, according to the UK Border Agency.

 

They include a failed asylum seeker who is accused of looting clothes and cash from a branch of department store BHS in Walthamstow, East London.

Algerian national Abderazak Boussag, 23, was arrested after police found the fingerprint of his teenage co-defendant at the store and raided his home in Leyton. 

Yesterday Immigration Minister Damian Green said: ‘We strongly believe that foreign national lawbreakers should be removed from the UK at the earliest opportunity.

‘We also have the power to cancel the visas of foreign nationals found guilty of criminal activity, and this is something we will be looking to do when cases arise.

‘Last week saw unprecedented criminality on our streets and the courts are now dispensing firm justice to ensure those responsible are punished.’

The move has re-ignited the row over tough sentences being handed to children and adults who took part in the disorder.

Yesterday Bradford East MP David Ward accused Mr Green of headline-grabbing.

‘This almost seems to be a competition to see who can come out with the most macho response’ Mr Ward said. 

He added:‘To have a blanket policy for all is just nonsense.’

Tom Brake, Lib-Dem home affairs spokesman, said the Government would ‘need to exercise caution’ – particularly in cases where foreigners have families established in the UK. 

 

Under immigration rules, criminals from outside Europe are automatically put forward for deportation if they are sentenced to 12-months in prison.

The same applies to Europeans given a 12-month sentence for drugs, violent or sexual crimes, or 24 months for other crimes.

But courts can recommend deportation in other instances, and the UK Border Agency is able to revoke visas for anyone found guilty of criminal activity. 

However, offenders can use the Human Rights Act to appeal against deportation on grounds that they are entitled to a family life or to avoid the risk of torture.

New research shows that courts are handing down prison sentences to convicted rioters that are on average 25 per cent longer than normal.

But Lib-Dems have attacked David Cameron’s calls for ‘zero tolerance’ to street crime and his backing for long sentences being handed down by the courts.

Plans to strip away benefits have also been described as ‘bonkers’ by Wells MP Tessa Munt, while there has also been opposition to removing council homes from troublemakers.

 

Chelsea Ives could face further charges as detectives want to question her about an incident in Hackney

The mother of a former Olympic ambassador who turned in her daughter after she claimed she saw her on television during the London riots left court in tears today after seeing her sent down to the cells.

Chelsea Ives, 18, will not appear again at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court until September 7 when the case will be committed to the crown court – meaning she will have to spend at least 21 more days in custody.

Ives, of Leytonstone, east London, is a former Waltham Forest Council youth Olympic ambassador,  and has denied charges of violent disorder, burglary at Vodafone and Phones4U stores and causing damage to a police car.

 

Difficult time: Adrienne Ives, 47, leaves court after seeing her daughter Chelsea, right, remanded in custody

It is alleged that the talented singer and athlete hurled a rock through a shop window and then yelled to a friend: ‘This is the best day ever’.

If convicted Ives could be facing a jail sentence. A raft of sentences over the last 10 days appear to show the courts abandoning guidelines and locking up looters and rioters for lengthy terms.

Chelsea Ives being detained at Westminster Magistrates Court last week

Many are tougher than the ones handed out to muggers, sex attackers and killer drivers – and are evidence that judges are determined to reflect public demands for the strictest possible punishments.

This afternoon her mother Adrienne Ives, 47, left the court building weeping, flanked by police officers. She said: ‘It is an incredibly hard time,’ before getting into a waiting car and being driven away.

The court heard that the teenager could face further charges after it emerged detectives want to question her about incidents in Hackney, east London, during the rioting.

Nathan Paine Davey, prosecuting, told the court: ‘In the course of the last week other information has come to the attention of the police about the possibility that Miss Ives was involved in other offences in the London Borough of Hackney and they wish to question her about it.’

Ives arrived at court wearing a grey Nike top and lip piercing with her blonde and black hair scraped back in a side pony tail.

District Judge, Nina Tempia, remanded the teenager in custody until September 7th 

Judge Tempia said: ‘If further charges need to be added to the indictment, all the matters can be taken together.’

Last week, Mrs Ives said it was a ‘gut-wrenching decision to report her daughter to police, but said it was something any good parent would do.

She claimed she had seen her daughter on television with her husband Roger, 54, during the mayhem in Enfield, north London, on the evening of Sunday, August 7. 

She told the Daily Mirror: ‘Any parent who loves their child should find the courage to do what we did.’

‘If parents keep their mouths shut these kids will keep rampaging through the streets.

Adrienne Ives leaves Highbury Magistrates Court in tears after seeing her remanded in custody

‘As a mother, I love my daughter. It’s not easy, but we hope we’ve done the right thing. It was a hard decision to make but it was a decision that any good parent would do.  These riots happen because good parents do nothing.’

‘Roger and I were watching the TV news and it was absolutely sickening,’ she said. ‘And then we saw our daughter. I could not believe it. For a minute we did not know what to do.

‘But then, what could normal honest parents do? How can you sit there and see that and say, “That’s OK”.

‘I will be portrayed as a bitch – but what are you supposed to do? I had to do what was right. She won’t thank us.’

Chelsea Ives, pictured, could face further charges after it emerged detectives want to question her about incidents in Hackney, east London, during the rioting.

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Youths who join gangs are making a ‘cry for help’ because they lack a ‘sense of belonging’, Prince Charles sensationally said today as he met families whose lives were devastated by the riots.

Incredibly, the Prince of Wales put the criminal actions of looters and rioters down to an excess of of youthful ‘energy and natural aggression’ that just needs to be channelled in a constructive way.

His verdict is bound to cause anger by those hit by marauding swarms of looters last week and people living in areas at the centre of violent gang wars.

The heir to the throne made the comments after he and his wife, Camilla, visited a leisure centre in Tottenham, north London, which was offering shelter and advice to riot victims.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PRINCE CHARLES MAKE HIS REMARKS

He said: ‘I still think half the problem is that people join gangs because it’s a cry for help. They are looking for a framework, a sense of belonging and meaning.

‘Part of the problem is in the schools. There is not enough extra curricular activities. I don’t believe there is enough organised games or other sorts of activities because when you are an adolescent – I still think I remember it – you have got so much energy and natural aggression half the battle is how to channel it in a sensible and constructive way.’

Prince Charle’s remarks provoked a storm of responses on Twitter. A user posting under the screen name Autonomous Mind accused the prince of ‘rose tinted ignorance’.

‘There are many reasons youngsters join gangs,’ he wrote. ‘Prince Charles naturally chooses to ignore the malicious ones. Rose tinted ignorance.’

Meanwhile, David Vance tweeted: ‘Prince Charles shows stellar lack of understanding of the THUGGERY that despoiled London streets. Cry for help? No – cry for Plasma TV’s.’

But others responded more positively to the prince’s presence in riot hit areas, with one widely retweeted message saying: ‘Don’t badmouth Prince Charles’s visiting the riot areas. The Princes Trust has created more young jobs than govt.’

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall had earlier been greeted affectionately by families who lost everything when their homes were destroyed during the riots.

The Royal visit came as The Prince’s Trust announced a £2.5 million investment in the places hardest hit across Britain by the outbreaks of looting and violence.

Prince Charles spoke to Barbara Bereda-Malik, 45, and husband Omar Malik, 47, whose flat above the Carpetright store was completely destroyed by fire.

Mrs Bereda-Malik said: ‘It was really nice to see him and see they’re concerned about our situation. He asked about how we were coping.’

Mr Malik, a cab driver, added that the council-coordinated support at the centre had been ‘amazing’.

He added: ‘But at the end of the day we’ve got this trauma that we’ve been through.
‘We are living in limbo now and it’s very stressful.’

The Prince chuckled as he posed for a mobile phone photo with the couple’s son Oskar Malik, five, who appeared bemused by all the attention.

The youngster also offered the Duchess a crisp from the packet he was munching on, which she good-naturedly ate.

Local heroes: Prince Charles thanks volunteers as his charity The Prince’s Trust announced a £2.5 million investment in areas worst hit by rioting

More than 100 families have come to the centre for help since the emergency strategy was put into practice last week.

A spokeswoman for Haringey Council said 45 properties were  destroyed in the fires started by rioters with a further 10 badly damaged.

Nearly all of those families have sought help from the centre, which has been offering aid with housing, legal advice, financial and business advice and child care, and victim support.

A temporary job centre has also been set up as the local one burnt down and the centre is collecting clothing and household goods donations which are sorted out and distributed to the needy in the area.

Secondary school teacher Anna Beames, 30, said she decided to volunteer after she came to drop off some clothes.

She said: ‘I came here to donate some clothes last Tuesday and I haven’t really left. I’ve been helping with everything really. It’s my community, it’s where I’m from, so I felt I should.’

Speaking about the Duchess, Miss Beames said: ‘She just asked me what I was doing and how long I’d been here. She told me she could barely believe it when she was watching it all on the TV.’

Wearing a green and white patterned dress and green jacket, Camilla spoke to a number of young children being looked after at the temporary centre’s creche.

She took particular interest in 19-month-old Mia Greenaway, whose home was badly smoke damaged in one of the fires.

Her mother, Victoria Norman, 38, a creative designer, said: ‘We had to watch our friends’ homes burn down around us and we thought we’d be next.

‘We’ve got away with just a lot of smoke damage. We can live there still but it doesn’t feel like home anymore.

‘We wrestle with this guilt that we’ve still got our home though and the others haven’t.’

She added: ‘I think it’s a positive thing that they’ve actually taken the time to come and see us here and see the people who have donated their time and their presence.’

The Salvation Army (SA) has also been helping at the centre.

SA national emergency coordinator Muriel McClenahan, 62, said: ‘We’ve been providing material goods, all physical things for their homes.

‘Some people have lost every single item they possessed so we’ve been sorting out the things that have been donated – clothing, toiletries, shoes, household items – just about everything.

‘It’s been amazing. It’s shown that there’s more good in the world than bad.’

She said of the Duchess: ‘She said how pleased she was to see the Salvation Army here and expected us to be here.’

By the time the royals left the centre, news of their visit had spread and huge crowds had gathered outside to see them.

The couple stopped to speak to some of them, with Charles chatting to local man Dymond Allen.
Mr Allen, 35, said: ‘He asked if my house had been affected and if I was a rapper.

‘I said ‘no, I’m a youth worker’, and he said ‘thank God for people like you.’

The couple later met young people affected by the riots at a Prince’s Trust centre in Hackney, east London.

The Prince’s Trust plans to double its support for young people in Manchester, Birmingham and the London areas of Hackney, Tottenham and Croydon.

As well as committing £1 million from funds already raised, the charity is calling on the business community to back a £1.5 million fundraising drive to bring in the rest of the money.

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