Being a Londoner I can tell you conclusively that this is about poor kids wanting a free pair of Nike trainers and some new bling... These kids have grown up on estates where there is no discipline, no punishment, no father figures. The have no concern for anyone but themselves, because they have never been taught to.
Yes it's a sad situation, and there are social factors that have lead to this, but that is NO excuse. It is pure criminality just because these 14 year old kids think they can get away with it. I'm eagerly waiting for the army to be called in, and see some of these little butterers shot. Hopefully then, finally, they will realise that looting and burning peoples homes down is going to get you in SEVERE trouble. I'd like to see some of the community out in force together tonight to dish out some beatings of their own, and show these little thugs that we won't stand idly by and we aren't scared of them in their hoods and scarves...