Social media helping nab London rioters in the act

Tens of thousands of people watched live as looters and rioters ransacked and burned portions of the British capital, helping authorities to identify the perpetrators. Still, the streets remain unsafe for many reporters.

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From Vancouver’s Stanley Cup riots to the current troubles in London, social media platforms give authorities an amazing set of tools.

According to CBC, “The ITV News live blog of the London riots was the most active Cover It Live event Tuesday, with more than 32,000 people watching at once.”

Meanwhile, CBC reports that during the recent unrest, Tumblr has been a platform of choice. “Tumblr blogs have appeared to document the riots in London and other parts of England … Catch A Looter is posting pictures and video of people caught in the act in the hopes of identifying them,” according to CBC.

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