With the Metropolitan Policeposting photos of suspected looters to Flickrafter widespread rioting in the streets of London, online auction and commerce giant eBay has issued a statement saying it will work with authorities to identify and remove any listings linked to raids of various retailers over the past three days.
With fashion outlets, sportswear shops and sellers of electronic goods targeted, it is thought that many of the individuals involved in the looting will turn to e-commerce websites including eBay and its subsidiary Gumtree to sell the items obtained by illegal means.
An eBay spokesperson emailed the company’s statement, informing us that it would be cooperating fully with the Police and other authorities:
“Our thoughts are with the businesses and communities affected by recent events in London and around the UK. eBay will cooperate fully with the investigating authorities to identify and remove any listings which are linked to criminal activity.”
Canadian smartphone giant RIMhas also declaredit will work with authorities to detect and identify senders of BlackBerry Messenger messages linked to the riots.
As the riots in London extend into its third night, citizens who have witnessed or experienced violence and destruction first-hand or want to help those affected, have mobilised via social networking websites to form groups known as the Riot Wombles, to begin street clean-up operations across London and other parts of the country.
Others have decided to help the Police by setting up websites which help identify the looters, posting mugshots collected from Twitter, Facebook and the media to Tumblr blogs and newly created gallery websites.
Story byMatt Brian
Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him on Twitter, subscribe to his updates on Facebook and catch up with him(show all)Matt is the former News Editor for The Next Web. You can follow him onTwitter, subscribe to his updates onFacebookand catch up with him onGoogle+.
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