British Prime Minister David Cameron gave the go-ahead to policemen on Wednesday to use water cannons against rioters if needed to prevent further disturbances in the country.
According to the latest police statistics, 768 rioters have been detained in London since the protests began on Saturday and almost 200 of them have been accused of disrupting public order, destroying property, and theft.
"Police are already authorized to use baton rounds and we agreed at COBRA that, while they are not currently needed, we now have in place contingency plans for water cannons to be available at 24 hours' notice," Cameron told journalists after he chaired a COBRA emergency meeting on Wednesday.
London police have refrained from using any riot control weapons or firearms against rioters in the past four days. However, an emergency COBRA meeting resolved that harsher measures are needed to curb the rioting.
"Whatever tactics the police feel they need to employ, they will have legal backing to do so," he said.
Cameron, who announced on Tuesday that the British parliament would be recalled from summer recess, branded the current situation in the country as "sick."
"When we see children as young as 12 and 13 looting and laughing, when we see the disgusting sight of a young man with people pretending to help him while they are robbing him, it is clear that there are things badly wrong with our society," the premier said.
Violence began in the British capital's northern district of Tottenham on Saturday over the fatal shooting of a young man by police. On Sunday and Monday, it spread to other areas in London and Birmingham.
Prime Minister Cameron added that COBRA would gather for another emergency meeting on Thursday and the current situation will be discussed as well by the Cabinet and the recalled Parliament.
