POLICE were forced this week to use riot control techniques they rehearsed at a derelict Dean factory.

Many of the 22 officers sent from the county to London on Tuesday had taken part in simulated riots during public order training at the former SCA Packaging plant in Stowfield.

Police deployed 200 officers to Gloucester to deal with disturbances on Tuesday night and 10 local men and teenage boys aged between 16 and 40 were arrested following disturbances involving up to 60 people.

Riots spread to cities across the country following three days and nights of unrest in London.

Beatrice Holland, who grew up in Blakeney, and lives in riot hotspot Peckham, witnessed looting on Monday evening.

The 29-year-old daughter of retired Blakeney GPs Anthea and Simon Holland, had to run gauntlets of hooded teenagers in her normally safe and friendly neighbourhood.

See this week's Forester for the full stories.