Mike Fisher has called for the army to be deployed in Croydon to regain control of the streets.

The Croydon Council leader was speaking as he surveyed the extensive damage to West Croydon following the riots last night.

He said: “Croydon cannot see this level of violence and disorder again – public lives are at risk.

“We need additional resources and that can be police if possible but if not then we should be looking at deployment of the army and other military.”

He said he was “devastated” by the damage he had seen in the town centre.

“Never in a million years did I think I would see this in the streets of Croydon ..

“I feel so sorry but that does not feel adequate enough.”

The Conservative leader vowed the council would use all resources possible to find those responsible.

He said he hoped when they were caught and were in court the magistrates “locked them up and threw away the key”.

Mr Fisher said that lives were at risk, after reports there were people in the buildings in Sumner Road that were still ablaze this morning.

He urged anyone who knows of someone who committed a crime to come forward and tell the authorities.

He said: “I can’t say strongly enough if somebody you know who was involved in these incidents last night you should have no thoughts about not turning them in.”