London Mayor, Boris Johnson, Heckled While Touring Area Affected By Riots

Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, struggled on Tuesday to be heard over hecklers while speaking to residents and the media in Clapham Junction, an area of the city among the hardest hit by the London riots, reports The Guardian.

VIDEO ABOVE.

A longer but lower quality version of the above video shows the mayor thanking volunteers for cleaning up after the riots. "That is the real spirit of London," he said.

But he couldn't continue for long before being interrupted by hecklers.

"I also want to say to the people," the mayor said before being cut off.

"This is your fault!" yelled an onlooker.

"9,000 pound tuition fee!" shouted another.

Johnson, ignoring the hecklers, was able to continue with his statement:

"I also want to say to the people who have been involved in instigating these riots, to those who've been robbing and stealing, that they will be caught, they will be apprehended, and they will face punishments they will bitterly regret. They will."

The mayor attempted to address the response from law enforcement.

"I know there are questions about the police response and about police numbers," he said, shouting to be heard. "And we are certainly going to be dealing with that."

"You talk about robust policing -- what does that actually mean?" a woman asked.

Another woman in the crowd confronted the mayor about the lack of police presence.

"Where were they? At 5:00 we knew they were going to hit and no one was here," she said. "I was in my salon when a brick came through the window. And no one was there to defend me."

Johnson returned from vacation on Monday to a city in chaos. As of Tuesday evening, one person had been killed, 503 people had been arrested and 44 police officers had been injured. 105 people have been charged.

16,000 police officers -- from as many as 26 different UK police forces -- will be deployed in the city through Wednesday morning.

For more on the London riots, read The Huffington Post's live blog.

Comments

[FACTISFACT]

03:09 AM on 08/10/2011

How can we forget Century's number one criminals the Rupert Murdoch's family and his associates at this time of London tragedy? Can the Police and us the Public of the world.

[Luke008]

11:33 PM on 08/09/2011

Wasn`t the last London riot a few weeks ago perpetrated by university students protesting tuition increases?

[NeverBendover]

11:04 PM on 08/09/2011

How did a guy named "Boris" become the mayor of London?

[Ozarks]

10:44 PM on 08/09/2011

Well Rupert paying off and bribing the top cops at Scotland Yard apparently initiated the distrust and suspicion of cops that is manifested in these riots.

[usma84]

05:56 AM on 08/10/2011

Good point. We all now know that Scotland Yard is just as corrupt as any police department in the US.

[Ozarks]

11:22 AM on 08/10/2011

Thanks usma84, remember this December- Beat Army- from USNA 65, Staubach's ole roomie!!!

[Frank Larkin]

10:36 PM on 08/09/2011

London bridge is burning down, my fair lady.
I guess a little heckling is not so bad after all. I do remember meeting some lovely Brits in Punta Cana a couple of years back. I do hope none of you are in harms way. Oh for those wondering how to stay oput of jeopardy, just open a book store none of the rioters can read, so they leave the bookstores aone.

[byjack007]

10:11 PM on 08/09/2011

I don't blame the heckler's. Ok, I'm in the US but this mayor, 1st needs a haircut. I mean the guys in his 40's or maybe 50, and the 'teen do' just won't 'do' at his age. 2nd...
What the people need is confidence, strength and reassurance at this time or any such time, and he should have acted way more angry and militant then he did.

[kskclk]

10:07 PM on 08/09/2011

COMING TO AMERICA VERY SOON

[falco1998]

09:48 PM on 08/09/2011

Geezzzz what is it with all these politicians and their vacations?? You'd think they were working really. really hard.

[natureman44]

09:26 PM on 08/09/2011

I want to add to my previous comment my belief that those people that are earnestly trying to better themselves and are truly willing to work and provide for themselves, but for some reason can't for whatever ligitiment reasons, be it for health reasons or a low intellect that prevents them from obtaining a good paying job, then by all means give them the assistance needed to live a reasonably fulfilling life for them and their children. Our humanity demands that every kindness should be extended to those people that are in need through no fault of their own. This is not a liberal or a conservative issue, it is a human issue.

[aphidavis]

09:42 PM on 08/09/2011

Would it be too much for able bodied welfare recipents to sweep there sidewalk and street in front of their section 8 home?

[JBaker]

09:52 PM on 08/09/2011

Extending "every kindness" costs a ton of money, so conditions must be met, and that is never as easy as some would think. I agree to helping people who are unable to help themselves: the disabled, the mentally ill, the elderly, and those in extreme situations of poverty.

Those individuals should not to be confused with the London rioters who demonstrate considerable physical prowess at helping themselves to the merchandise of middle class merchants without paying for it.

[richie9103]

08:42 PM on 08/09/2011

Why are these looters and arsonist not being shot on sight? Bring in the military and shoot these criminals and this will solve the problem.!

[klasakt]

08:49 PM on 08/09/2011

I believe that is what is called a police state ... and there would be riots about that. They could just cordon off the area and let the place burn. The people that live there are just as guilty as the ones actually doing the destruction. They were complacent, ready and willing to let it get out of hand as long as it didn't affect them. Sometimes the people in the neighborhoods need to stand up for themselves and take control of their own neighborhoods instead of relying on somebody else to do it.

[aphidavis]

09:00 PM on 08/09/2011

What the....?

[falco1998]

09:52 PM on 08/09/2011

klasakt, are you talking about the UK or America?

[happyone6470]

09:20 PM on 08/09/2011

One reason is because many of these looters and arsonists are teenage kids . And since they are kids the police are being very cautious in handling the situation ..

[1512c]

08:39 PM on 08/09/2011

Pacifistic PC puss*es

[UgotNiceHairMe2]

08:08 PM on 08/09/2011

The great depression was a good thing. Living through it all made everyday people pull together and they became stronger. All we can do these days is rage at eachother. Dice'n one another up with our man made boundaries. Survival of the coheasive. Conservative vs Liberal vs.... name the box you enjoy shove'n yourself in and it's there. Be humans for once in your angry lives!

[mariannef2]

07:38 PM on 08/09/2011

Oh, the poor victims of repression! "Minorities" have as many rights, if not more, than anyone. The public schools bend over backwards to appease them~~even lower standards so they can "achieve." Why should they strive when they don't have to~~they get more of everything when they cry "victim!" Enough blame on the establishment~~this is why I can't stand the liberals; tolerant only when you agree with them~~it's getting old!

[Billybladerunner]

07:19 PM on 08/09/2011

Last night Madow on MSNBC said that the cuts in social programs and entitlement money , along with the overall disdain for the police and Government have led to the riots.......

said it clear as day.... And doesn't even realize what she said....cuts in social programs and entitlement money .. She see's it as a big bad Government against the people ....

Do you see what happens when people are dependant on the Government through entailments for there means of income.... ......Just like in Greece.... The government is forced to make cuts because paying out without bringing in can only last so long.....

The people revolt....this shooting was the icing on the cake...

What do you think would happen if Our Government Stopped Unemployment Benefits...or Welfare......

Don't say Democrats wouldn't let it happen and shrug it off .....Think About it .....what would happen...

Remember the L.A. Riots ... ...you don't think Americans are Capable of this type of violence... especially if you cut off a means of income.......

[getarman]

08:05 PM on 08/09/2011

it was about to happen when obama threatened the senior people on ssi. we were one step away frfom rioting. if obama had gone therough with his threat there would probably be riots everywhere in our country. thsank god for the ones who got our debts in a better order at tghe last minute. govt just a scam to all of us

[falco1998]

10:00 PM on 08/09/2011

You forgot to mention that most, not all including the government, have worked our whole lives and paid into SSI and the government whenever it needs money borrows from it. So it's not an entitlement to us it's a right, we paid for it. The government works two years and retires with full pay and benefits, never having to pay SSI. I started working when I was 14 (now 58) paying into SSI, it's my right to receive it when I'm 66, if I don't then I want my money back.

[klasakt]

08:51 PM on 08/09/2011

just adding ... "if you cut off a means of income ... " that you did not have to work for, that was given to you because of some government classification.

[MrPaulMuni]

07:16 PM on 08/09/2011

I am not surprised that admitted anarchists are gaining pouplarity on this site. This site is pathetic thanks to many who write here!

[getarman]

08:06 PM on 08/09/2011

welcome to AOL mr.paulmuni