Over the past four days, the state has lost control of England’s streets. What began as localised unrest following the police shooting of a man in north London has exploded into an orgy of arson, looting and feral violence which has spread through the capital and to other English cities. The lawlessness has destroyed business in poor pockets of London and tarnished the city’s reputation the year before it is to host the Olympic Games. The government must now do what is necessary to regain control of the nation’s streets.

David Cameron has belatedly recognised the gravity of the situation, cutting short his holiday and recalling parliament. He also ordered an increase in the number of police of the capital to 16,000 and toughened the rules of engagement. Both steps are welcome. The TV images of police standing by impotently as gangs of youths went on the rampage undoubtedly contributed to a sense of impunity among the vandals.

The riots in England have turned into a test of competence for the government and for the City’s mayor, Boris Johnson. This is no time for loose talk about public spending cuts being responsible for the violence. The youths who looted shops in search of flat-screen TVs and trainers knew exactly what they were doing. Mr Cameron is right to say that anyone old enough to commit these crimes is old enough to face the full force of the law.