BORIS Johnson said Enfield residents can use “reasonable force” to protect their community on a walkaround today.

Hundreds of people turned out on the streets of the borough last night, some chanting the name of right wing group the English Defence League (EDL), others with no obvious political orientation.

Both groups said they wanted to defend traders and residents from rioting and looting.

Mr Jonson said residents have the right to use “reasonable force” and added: “That’s common law. Common law says you can do that, but you’ve got to be reasonable.

“What I don’t want to see is targeted aggression of any kind. On the whole I would rather that people didn’t get involved in active aggression of any kind.

“That’s why we have greatly increased the police presence.”

More on his visit to follow.