POLICE in Southampton are tonight on alert for disorder in the city as parts of London and Birmingham were sent up in flames by rioters and looters.

Hampshire Police said they were aware of social media messages inviting people in Southampton to join in and were “monitoring” communities across the city.

A spokeswoman said the force had officers on standby to respond if needed and urged residents to stay calm and indoors as a precaution.

She added there were no signs of disorder at this time.

Prime Minister David Cameron will tomorrow chair the Government’s emergency committee Cobra to discuss the London riots after cutting short his holiday to fly home tonight.

The rioters were rampaging across Britain’s capital again for a third night as politicians and police chiefs tried desperately to curb the “sheer criminality”.

Home Secretary Theresa May condemned chaotic scenes while Scotland Yard beefed up its presence before looting and violence spiralled out of control.

As thousands of yobs took to the streets across the London districts including Hackney, Lewisham and Peckham, later extending to Croydon and Woolwich, Scotland Yard’s most senior officer called on parents to contact their children and urged the public to clear London’s streets.

The fresh wave of violence also spread north to central Birmingham, with police saying shop windows had been smashed and looting had taken place.

At least 215 people have been arrested and 25 charged following the riots across London.