Greater Manchester Police's Assistant Chief Constable describes the 'senseless violence' which took place in Manchester overnight.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: "This has been senseless violence and senseless criminality of a scale I have never experienced in my career.

"Greater Manchester Police has been faced with extraordinary levels of violence from groups of criminals intent on committing widespread disorder.

"This is nothing more than senseless violence with no absolutely no regard for people, their property or livelihoods. "

Police arrested over a 100 hundred people across the city as rioters threw petrol bombs at shops and raided stores.

Manchester City Council's Pat Karney said the violence was "one of the worst days that Manchester has ever seen".

The violence occurred at Salford Shopping City and Market Street in the city centre. The Arndale Centre was closed following a raid by rioters.

09.20, 10.8.11, andrew.lynch@pavpub.com