2,000 rioters have gone on the rampage through Manchester city centre tonight.
The thugs, many who were armed with sticks, wore ski masks and hoods to cover their faces as they smashed up shops and set fire to a Miss Selfridge shop on Market Street.
The youths then ran down the street smashing the windows on another clothes store, while dozens tried to force the door of the Arndale shopping centre.
Among the marchers were children on pedal cycles.
Mohammed Shafique of the Ramadan Foundation said he had seen running battles between police and young people in Manchester since about 6pm. He estimates there are about 2,000 people on the streets around the Arndale Centre.
Nearby hundreds of riot police had tried to move crowds who had gathered on Piccadilly Gardens, leading to running battles with youngsters wearing masks and hoods.
