Looters broke into two shops in central Ilford in the early hours of this morning, as violence raged in Tottenham, Enfield and Brixton.

Shopfronts at Virgin Media and T-Mobile were boarded up today as police stepped up patrols and shopkeepers were “on alert.” JD Sports in Newbury park was also thought to be targeted in the early hours.

Staff at Virgin Media, in High Road, said the store was targeted at 2am with raiders smashing through the front door panel. A sign on T Mobile’s smashed store, also in High Road, reads: “This branch will remain closed for the rest of today.”

Vodafone and Entertainment Exchange have closed for the day for security reasons, and Car Phone Warehouse has confirmed they will close early on advice from their head of office.

Mark Myers, Mall Manager at the Exchange, Ilford said: “The town centre is on a state of alert at the moment.”

A Recorder reporter currently in the town centre said: “There seems to be an uneasy feeling at the moment. Shopkeepers are standing in doorways looking out nervously.

“Police are doing their best to reassure shoppers.”

A police officer at the scene told the Recorder: “We don’t have any specific intelligence at the moment, but we’re taking precautions.”