Ex-Indy reporter ‘trapped in riots’

KIM WATERS
A FORMER Independent journalist living in London has described her “frightening” experience caught in the city’s violent riots.
Jessica Benton, who moved from Ocean Grove to London last year, said Australian and New Zealand expatriates were stuck in the middle of “escalating” chaos sweeping England.
Ms Benton said her neighbourhood in Clapham Junction, in south-west London, was targeted earlier this week.
She described a terrifying evening locked in her home listening to sirens, helicopters and youths screaming and running outside.
“The local shops have been looted and vandalised. It’s absolute mayhem,” she emailed from London.
“There were groups of young boys and girls smashing up shops and stealing everything.”
Ms Benton said police had lost control.
“People were running wild through the shops for an hour and a half before police showed up but it wasn’t enough to control the mayhem and they had to move on to other areas.
“Cars and properties have been burnt down to the ground. Some people were even forced to protect their properties from looters with pots and pans.
“I’m not too afraid for my safety but it’s worrying the police seem to be taking so long to get things under control. You just don’t know what’s going to happen next.”
Ms Benton described the atmosphere as “frantic” and uneasy.
“It all just escalated so quickly,” she said.
“It seems most of the people now don’t even know what they’re rioting for. The young kids especially seem to be getting a lot of enjoyment out of it.”