HUNDREDS of youths are throwing bricks and bins at police as Lewisham is rocked by rioting.

Updates below...

23.30: As rioting continues across south east London tonight, the manager of a bar which was ransacked by thugs is counting the cost of the damage. Read the full article.

23.20: Due to the riots in south east London, tomorrow's Charlton game has been called off.

Lewisham riots video

22.20: Lewisham town centre remains quite after the riots earlier this evening. A police officer has confirmed that individuals are continuing to loot stores on Deptford High Street as riots are carrying on in Catford.

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8.50: Rioters have now completely dispersed from Lewisham town centre. Blockades are still in place along Lewisham High Street.

Met Acting Commissioner speaks amid appalling violence. Read the full article.

20.30: There are burnt out cars in Morley Road and cars still smouldering in Albion Way.

20.00: We have been speaking to a witness of some of the violence on Lee High Road.

The owner of the Ladywell Tavern, David Montgomery, 30, used to run the Dirty South pub in Lee High Road and is a friend with the current manager.

News Shopper: Shocked: David Montgomery outside the Dirty South pub in Lewisham

He went to the Dirty South after hearing there may be rioting in Lewisham.

He said: "At around 7pm rioters began smashing the windows of the pub. One of the men took a flying kick at one of the windows which smashed, cutting his leg."

News Shopper: Blood Dirty South pub Lewisham

He also witnessed a gang of youths stop a car in the street before dragging the driver and a female passenger from the vehicle before driving off.

17:45: Police vehicles have been travelleing at speed towards Lee.

Three police vans and a dog car have also been seen rushing towards Lewisham town centre.

Police in riot gear are now present outside the Dirty South pub in Lee High Road along with a crowd of people looking at the damage that has been caused during the rioting.

17:30: Reports coming in that Lewisham rioters are moving away into surrounding Deptford and Catford.

7.16pm: Reports are coming in of major damage to businesses along Lee High Road.

Shop fronts have been smashed all along the road including a chinese restaurant, a barbers and the Dirty South pub.

There are gangs of hooded youths still in the street and currently no police presence.

6.30pm: Police have completely shut down Lewisham town centre after exchanges between the two parties started.

It is understood the exchanges began at around 6pm when police intercepted rioters attempting to loot shops leading to officers closing the high street from the Belmont Hill interchange.

A witness said hundreds of youths were throwing missiles and thought a firework or smoke bomb had been let off outside Nandos.

Scenes of destruction are unfolding including vehicles alight and debris covering the street.

Police have now begun driving the rioters back from the town centre and towards the train station.

More to follow...