Police in Wimbledon are on high alert after businesses closed down ahead of further looting fears this evening.

Centre Court shopping centre has been closed and boarded up, as have nearly all the shops and bars in The Broadway.

Merton Police have denied they have told business owners to close their shops.

A spokesman said it was a "judgment call" for people to make for themselves and that they had received no intelligence that a riot had been planned.

This story is no longer live and all updates below were updated as they happened.

UPDATE: 10:05pm: Merton Police's Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Dick Wolfenden, has released a statement:

He said: "During today, together with other services, the local authority and the police have refined a range of contingency plans to ensure that we are as prepared as possible to cater for any issues which are generated by any continuance of serious disorder.

"Retaining and building support from our communities is always a primary objective on the borough and today our community based safer neighbourhood teams have been deployed within Merton's wards working hard to provide a visible presence and ensure that communities feel both safe and are reassured.

"We have also ensured that contact has been made with the business community and other licensed trades who have understandable concerns in relation to the safety of their property and have sought crime prevention advice as to trading practices in the current environment.

"During the day the borough has been overwhelmed by the many messages of support received from the public, cross party politicians and partner agencies.

"Merton police encourage anyone who may be inclined to engage in civil disorder and theft to consider the consequences of such action especially in terms of how such activity is impacting on their local communities.

"We also encourage anyone who knows of any individuals or groups that have either been involved in the recent disorder or are planning future events to let us know by using the new 101 non-emergency police contact number. Remember if in case of emergency always dial 999."

UPDATE: 7.30pm: Omar Oakes, Reporter (in Wimbledon town centre): "I've just done a tour of the town centre where many of the major shops have boarded up their windows in anticipation of looting.

"There is a heavy police presence, in particular at the Merton Council-run car park at the back of Morrison's supermarket.

"Can I honestly say there are angry-looking teenagers waiting around for the looting to begin? No. It's very quiet with the exception of the Hand and Racquet pub which was buzzing serenely.

"Shame I'm not drinking this month or I would have continued 'reporting' from there for much longer."

UPDATE 6.40pm: A resident visiting Wimbledon has seen windows being boarded up at Centre Court Shopping Centre.

He said: "I was told Centre Court was being targeted. The whole place is like a Sunday morning but it's really a Tuesday during rush hour."

UPDATE 6.00pm: Some interesting Twitter reaction to Stephen Hammond's suggestion that Blackberry Messaging could be suspended if used to plan further lootings.

Amber (@ambspeacock) said: "Stephen Hammond says we shud shut down bbm!!! Where is HE? On holidays,only coming back for parliament,not his constituency!"

But Sophia Jenner (@sophjenner, our local Star in a Bra 2011 finalist) said: "I think a day without twitter/facebook/blackberry messenger would actually help a little bit."

Follow us at @WimbledonNews or visit our Facebook page, where you can start a discussion topic about all stuff Merton. It doesn't have to be about looting or wombles - honest!

UPDATE 5.15pm: Police have are appealing for information about people pictured on a new website: http://www.met.police.uk/rioterswanted.

Deputy Assistant Commisioner Steve Kavanagh said: "We are now undertaking an operation to identify those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will not tolerate this dangerous behaviour."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the incident room hotline: 0208 345 4142.

UPDATE 5.10pm: Merton Council Leader Stephen Alambritis has revealed that the council and Merton Police received credible intelligence today that Elys in Wimbledon town centre was a main target.

The department store itself tweeted this afternoon: "Sorry to say that Elys in Wimbledon is likely to be a riot target. Best advice to you all is to stay away today."

Wimbledon Village and Mitcham town centre are also believed to be targeted but Wimbledon town centre remains the priority and Colliers Wood Tandem Centre is not seen as under threat of being hit again.

Coun Alambritis said: "I had a chat with the facilities manager at the Tandem Centre and he said all of the stores there are in no hurry to replenish their stock and they have emptied their tills.

He reiterated his desire for the Government to impose a curfew to combat future lootings: "I think the option of a curfew should be on the table.

"Many young people are at a tipping point in their lives and it is crucial they don't fall on the side of believing they can get something for nothing. Once they do, it is very hard to bring them back."

UPDATE 4.45pm: Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond is returning home early from his holiday tomorrow morning because Parliament has been recalled in light of the London-wide riots.

Speaking from abroad this afternoon, Mr Hammond said he had spoken to police this afternoon about intelligence suggesting Wimbledon could be a target for violence and disorder.

He rejected calls to bring in the army or enforce evening curfews, as suggested by the leader of the council and Mitcham and Morden MP, Siobhain McDonagh.

But he did advocate suspending Blackberry Messaging (BBM) services which are reportedly being used by the looters to organise future attacks.

He said: "I am sure [suspending BBM] will have been discussed by the Cabinet Office. Clearly it would seem that if that is the way these details are being spread then that is the way to stop it.

"Certainly they will find other ways to communicate, but this should be considered as a short-term solution."

UPDATE 3.20pm: Jonathan Davies, a resident, said: "I was down in centre court at 2pm and there were many shops closing.

"The police were saying that they had not instructed them to do so and it was up the store manager.

"Most of the shops on the high street were closing and Elys was closed.

"The Alexandra pub was the only one still open but they looked like they would close too."

3pm: A bank employee for RBS said police have told them to shut immediately after receiving a tip-off that a large group of youths are heading to Wimbledon from Southfields.

Wimbledon station remains open and both Transport for London and Network Rail have denied they have plans to close it.

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