Majority charged over riots are adults

Speaking to press in London today (16 August), Clegg said a government probe into the riots would help explode myths about the events.

But he said the Liberal Democrats have dropped their previous opposition to extending gang injunctions to cover under-18s.

"There does seem to be some early evidence that in some areas there was a very strong gang element and there is even some anecdotal evidence that gangs were co-operating to maximise their looting opportunities," he said.

"Of course, we need to look at that and that is why I think it is right that we revisit our positions on gang culture."

He also confirmed plans for a "community payback scheme", with offenders involved with recent riots helping to clean up areas hit by the disturbances.

Meanwhile, London mayor Boris Johnson has called for the use of pupil referral units (PRUs) for children involved in rioting.

In a letter to Justice Secretary Ken Clarke, he said those for whom custody is not deemed appropriate but "where a community sentence is a totally inadequate response", should be sent to pupil referral units for a period.