Bookshops avoid major damage in London rioting

Bookshops appeared to have been largely unaffected by the rioting that swept across London and other cities last night, causing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.

As London shopowners began the clean-up this morning, spokespeople for both Waterstone's and W H Smith said they were unaware of any damage to their store portfolio. Both retailers' management were meeting this morning to discuss the violence, which was largely targeted at electronics retailers.

Indies in those areas particularly hit appeared to have avoided damage. Pages of Hackney,  situated on Lower Clapton Road in the heart of the east London borough, tweeted that it had closed early as a result of the disturbances, with a nearby local electrical store hit. It said: "Ten mounted policemen have joined the riot police outside the shop, which we did close in the end, shortly before Harris on the corner looted".

Gay’s the Word on Marchmont Street, London, had its main front window smashed and pelted with eggs at around 12.30am on Monday morning.

Rioting spread across London last night, encompassing Ealing in the west, Enfield in the north, Hackney in the east and Croydon in the south of the city.