There have been no reports of lootings in Wimbledon yesterday after businesses shut early and extra patrols were made by police.

The sight of boarded up windows at Centre Court Shopping Centre and Ely's department store helped the town centre resemble a state of depression which betrayed its reputation as a thriving outer-London centre of commerce.

Centre Court shopping centre was closed at 2pm but has reopened this morning, albeit with the boards still intact.

Shop fronts were also seen boarded up in Wimbledon Village, Raynes Park and Kingston Road in Merton Park.

Click here to see yesterday's live coverage as Wimbledon town centre locked down

"Eerie silence" in Wimbledon

According to Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh, small groups of looters did come to Wimbledon and congregated near Elys, which was named as a potential target, but thought better of it due to the high police presence.

The leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, said he will receive a report from Merton Police this afternoon which is expected to say there were no significant flashpoints in the borough yesterday.

Coun Alambritis said this morning: "There was an eerie silence from 3pm in Wimbledon but thankfully I'm not aware of any incidents that were anything like Colliers Wood [on Monday].

"A lot of businesses will have suffered a loss of trade and takings yesterday which is exactly what they won't need in these difficult economic times.

"I would urge bank managers to be patient with small businesses, many of whom work with very small profit margins.

"I am also calling on the insurance industry to process claims made by our businesses as quickly as possible."

The council leader also praised Merton Police for deploying extra officers in the town centre and for advising businesses not to replenish stock in anticipation of a disturbance.

Mitcham: "Massive police presence"

There were also greatly increased number of police officers in Mitcham town centre, which was believed to be another potential target.

Ms McDonagh said: “I was in Mitcham and the number of police along Church Road was huge, not just officers but vans and cars too."

Several employees told the Wimbledon Guardian they had been advised by police to close early because they had credible intelligence that Wimbledon would be targeted.

But a Merton Police spokesman denied they had issued such advice, saying it was a "judgment call" for businesses to act as they see fit.

UPDATE: 2.30pmThis afternoon, Merton Police boss, Chief Superintendent Dick Wolfenden, praised the work of his officers yesterday.

He said: "As a result of significant number of extra resources, (supplemented by volunteers, special constables, police staff and regular officers who have volunteered to come in from home) we are in a much improved position to cope with any future civil unrest and disorder.

"The local CID are actively investigating the events that took place on Monday evening and we will follow all available leads to bring those responsible to justice.

"Last night was significantly quiet and any intelligence which suggested that groups were gathering intent on criminal behavior was actioned and potential offenders robustly dealt with.

"Our current intelligence does not suggest any immediate threat to local public order, however we are not complacent and will ensure we sustain optimum staffing levels for some time to come.

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