These are 'English Riots' not 'UK Riots,' says Scotland

Scottish police officials are fighting to distance their country from the rioting that has erupted across England. Scotland, which has sent hundreds of officers to aid English police in London, Manchester and Birmingham, claims that the violence and looting beneath its border will not move north.

"We know we have a different society in Scotland," First Minister Alex Salmond told the BBC's "Good Morning Scotland" radio program.

"One of my frustrations yesterday was to see the events being described as riots in the UK. Until such time we do have a riot in Scotland, what we are seeing are riots in London and across English cities."

"It is actually unhelpful to see them inaccurately presented because one of the dangers we face in Scotland is copycat action," he added.

Scottish police also said Wednesday that additional officers, along with equipment and vehicles from all eight of the country's police forces, will head to Midlands and northern English cities. Scottish officers already make up part of the 16,000 person strong police presence in London.

Despite the insistence that the riots are a purely English phenomenon, Scottish police say they are prepared should the violence hit home.

"We are not complacent," Salmond said. "We have already had resilience meetings of the government over the last few days."

He assured Scots that their diminished police force still has "the capacity to deal with any situation which might arise in Scotland."

There were also four "isolated" incidents in Wales, in the capital city of Cardiff Tuesday night, but the city's lord mayor insisted they shouldn't be considered riots.

Two retailers were attacked and burgled, while two small fires were started in abandoned buildings. Firemen and police quickly gained control of the situation.

"I can understand people may be concerned after hearing reports of what happened in Cardiff, given the context of problems in England," Councillor Delme Bowen told the BBC.

"But there has been no organized unrest in Cardiff or anywhere else in Wales for that matter. I am sure that people in Wales will continue to respect their communities."

Welsh police have also been sent to aid officers in London and other parts of England. Around 16,000 police officers are currently stationed in the British capital.