Shops have closed early in Ilford Town Centre and workers told to go home after looters smashed their way in to two mobile phone shops this morning.
Virgin Media and T-Mobile, both in High Road, were targeted at about 2am this morning.
A JD Sports in Eastern Avenue, Newbury Park, was also reportedly broken in to at about the same time.
The break-ins happened as thugs across the capital struck, including in Enfield and Brixton.
Exchange Ilford general manager Marc Myers told the Recorder this afternoon the town centre was “on alert”.
More than 15 police officers have been seen patrolling the area.
Shops including Vodafone, Virgin Media, Carphone Warehouse, Monsoon, Card Factory, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins have all closed early.
Argos, Boots and Primark have closed a number of their shutters but remain open to customers.
A police officer at the scene told the Recorder: “We don’t have any specific intelligence at the moment, but we’re taking precautions.”
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