Courts will sit for 24 hours to crack down on rioters that have swept across the UK the past few days.

Last night saw ministers locked in talks with senior members of the judiciary to bring in emergency measures following clashes in cities like Manchester, Belfast and Liverpool, among others.

Police officers were attacked and pelted with missiles, while one officer was also kicked off his motorbike in Liverpool.

Shop fronts were vandalised, with looting and arson also breaking out, as the disorder intensified.

Keir Starmer said the police had his "full support"

During crisis talks with ministers yesterday, Keir Starmer labelled rioters who attacked the police as "extremists" and urged officers to "take all action necessary to keep our streets safe", as they had his "full support".

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she would work with forces to help ensure “consequences, arrests and prosecutions” for those responsible for this week's riots.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "This afternoon the Prime Minister convened senior Ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Justice Secretary and the Policing Minister to discuss the incidents of public disorder and unrest we have seen in towns and cities in recent days.

"The Prime Minister began by thanking the police who responded to the violence committed by a small minority of thugs in Sunderland last night which injured four officers.

Sunderland was one of the cities hardest hit by the riots