London Riots Cause Police to Look into Developing Social Media Restraints

British Prime Minister David Cameron is working with London police, intelligence services and industry officials to see if they can stop potential rioters from communicating through the social media.

On Thursday, Cameron told British lawmakers that the free flow of information can be used for good, but can also be used for ill.

"And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them," Cameron said. "So we are working with the police, the intelligence services and industry to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality."

Cameron has also instructed police that if they need any other new powers to make it known.

More than 1,500 people have been arrested across the country since violence broke out on Saturday. Police presence has increased from 6,000 to almost 16,000 and the number will remain as is through the weekend.

London plunged into chaos that day after a peaceful demonstration outside Tottenham police station turned ugly. Those protesting that day were demanding justice for the police shooting death of 29-year-old Mark Duggan, a father of four. It said that police stopped the car Duggan was driving in, intending to make an arrest when things went wrong.

An investigation has been launched into that incident.

But Cameron said it is not Duggan's death that has sparked the uprising, which began in several poor neighborhoods before moving out into larger cities like Birmingham.

"We must get to the bottom of exactly what happened. And we will," Cameron told members of parliament. "Mr. Speaker, initially there were some peaceful demonstrations following Mark Duggan's death... and understandably and appropriately the police were cautious about how they dealt with this."

"However, this was then used as an excuse by opportunist thugs in gangs, first in Tottenham itself, then across London and then in other cities," Cameron added. "It is completely wrong to say there is any justifiable causal link. It is simply preposterous for anyone to suggest that people looting in Tottenham at the weekend, still less three days later Salford, were in any way doing so because of the death of Mark Duggan."

But the criminal elements, some of whom have been said to be young people wearing masks, who are using social media to spread the violence to other cities, could end up being caught using the same methods of organizing crime.

BlackBerry Messenger, or BBM, has been linked as the chosen communications tool for many rioters to communicate and organize. The maker of BlackBerry smartphones and the parent company of BBM -- Canada-based Research in Motion has come under attack for working with British police in the riots.

Law enforcement officials also are already making technology work for them, as they have begun capturing the images of the offenders on CCTV, according to Cameron.

"So even if they haven't yet been arrested, their faces are known and they will not escape the law," Cameron said. "And as I said yesterday, no phoney human rights concerns about publishing photographs will get in the way of bringing these criminals to justice. Anyone charged with violent disorder and other serious offences should expect to be remanded in custody... and anyone convicted should expect to go to jail."

And those caught could swiftly be brought to justice, as Cameron said courts in London, Manchester and the West Midlands have been sitting through the night - and will continue to do so for as long as necessary.

"Magistrates courts have proved effective in ensuring swift justice," he said. "The Crown courts are now starting to deal with the most serious cases. We are keeping under constant review whether the courts have the sentencing powers they need and we'll act if necessary."

"As a result of the robust and uncompromising measures we have taken, good progress is being made in restoring order to the streets of London and other cities across our country," he added. "As I have made clear, nothing is off the table. Every contingency is being looked at."