The patrol cars and a doubledecker bus were set ablaze as dozens gathered outside the police station on the High Road in Tottenham, smashing up shop windows. One establishment was also on fire.
Local journalists at the scene spoke of widespread looting in the crowded area and said spoke of alarming Twitter messages appealing people to join in the violence.
Riot officers have been dispersed and were coming under missile attacks, said a spokesman for London`s Metropolitan Police.
Two patrol cars had parked up about 200 metres from the police station while their officers conducted traffic patrols on foot, he said.
"A number of bottles were thrown at these two cars -- one was set alight and the second was pushed into the middle of the High Road. It was subsequently set alight.
"The officers were not in the vehicles and were unhurt."
Riot squad officers have been deployed to the north and south of the police station to disperse the crowd.
The unrest occurred following a march from Broadwater Farm, a 1960s public housing estate in Tottenham.(*)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
