The former judge leading Croydon’s independent review panel into last month’s riots has called on residents and local businesses to get in touch.

His Honour William Barnett QC was this week announced as chairman of the five-strong local panel that will look into the reasons for the riots of August 8.

He said: “If you witnessed or were affected in anyway by the disorder please contact the panel and tell your story - no matter how small you feel the detail may be.

“It is important that we establish what happened in the run up to the disturbances, on the night itself and in the aftermath - and whether there are any lessons to be learned.”

People can submit statements to the panel via letters, email or telephone up until 4.30pm on October 10.

Residents can email localreview@croydon.gov.uk, send a letter or call 020 8726 6000.

For more information visit www.croydononline.org

The panel also intends to hold a number of public hearings and will submit its findings to the national panel set up by the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg.