Fresh trouble flares across Manchester and the Midlands as police warn 16,000 officers on London's streets could use plastic bullets

Fresh violence has flared around the UK tonight as police in London admitted they were prepared to use plastic bullets against rioters if a fourth night of lawlessness continues.

Pockets of unrest have been reported in the West Midlands and Manchester as an 'unprecedented' 16,000 police officers were sent to patrol the streets of London following questions over the failure of police to bring last night's riots under control.

Sporadic disorder and looting has been reported in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Greater Manchester and Salford, where the Central Housing office is on fire.

Fresh violence flares tonight in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Greater Manchester and Salford
Prime Minister David Cameron recalls Parliament on Thursday as Government tries to quell uprising
Plastic bullets could be used for the first time in Britain if there are riots tonight
'Unprecedented' 16,000 police on duty in London - compared with just 6,000 last night
Man, 26, shot in Croydon last night dies in hospital
Man, aged in his 60s, critically ill after clashing with rioters in Ealing
England game against Netherlands at Wembley tomorrow called OFF
400% surge in 999 calls on night of violence with 20,800 dialling the emergency services in London
Cost of clean-up expected to run into 'tens of millions'
Metropolitan Police use armoured vehicles to push back 150 rioters in Lavender Hill, Clapham
'There are no plans for the Army to get involved,' says police chief
Three arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of police officer
525 people arrested in total and more than 100 people have been charged
16-year-old arrested on suspicion of trying to incite riots via Facebook
All police cells in London are now FULL
Copycat riots in Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham, Liverpool and Leeds