Riot chaos reaches Bayswater

And despite a heavy police presence in parts of Notting Hill and Westbourne Grove, mobs took to the streets, arming themselves and trashing businesses.

One eyewitness told the Chronicle: "It's really frightening out there.

"There are gangs of kids kicking doors and windows in and damaging businesses.

"There are lots of police around, but the group - it must be about 30-strong - just seem to be moving around."

During the evening, reports spread that youths were carrying machetes through the streets of North Kensington, although this is currently unconfirmed.

Restaurants and pubs including The Ledbury and Bumpkin, both in Notting Hill, were also targeted by looters last night.

There are reports that staff at the former stepped in to protect customers from intruders armed with knives.

Queensway and Ladbroke Grove stations were also closed early due to disturbances on the streets.

On Twitter, a representative from Whiteley's shopping centre wrote this morning: "We can reassure shoppers that Whiteleys is open as usual.

"Our security team and the Metropolitan Police are monitoring the situation."

The violence started in Tottenham on Saturday night, following the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan.

On Sunday, this had spread to other parts of the capital and last night, other major cities experienced outbreaks of rioting and looting.

More as we get it.