THE MP for Stevenage has slammed those involved in rioting - branding them as “pathetic thugs” - and offered to go out on patrol with police.

Stephen McPartland has spoken out after a series of riots and criminal activity which has swept the nation since Saturday and, following three arson attacks in the town this morning (Wednesday), has offered his services to Hertfordshire Constabulary.

“These riots are nothing more than a number of outbreaks of criminal activity by a bunch of pathetic thugs,” said Mr McPartland.

“The scenes on TV are truly shocking and I am disgusted that these hooligans feel it is OK to destroy and steal other people’s property.”

The Stevenage MP was keen to distinguish between events in major cities and the incidents in the Bedwell area of the town during the early hours of this morning.

“I know the arson attacks places fear in the Bedwell area but we would like to once again reassure people that what happened in Bedwell is not the same as what’s happened in London and other cities,” he said.

“In those cases there have been groups of 300 to 400 people but here it was a small number of people.

About joining the patrols, he added: “I have offered to go out on patrol with the police in Stevenage tomorrow night or Friday afternoon and evening - to try and reassure residents that Stevenage is safe and we are not seeing any gangs of youths engaging in copycat behaviour.”

Meanwhile, Andy Bliss, Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Constabulary, has praised the work of his officers while also offering reassurance to the public.

He said: “I have been on the streets of Hertfordshire, talking to local residents and shopkeepers and have seen at first hand the excellent work that is being done by officers, PCSOs, staff and specials from the Constabulary.

“Hertfordshire has not seen widespread criminal disorder as experienced elsewhere in the country and our safer neighbourhood teams are working across the county and any signs of trouble have been countered straight away.

“We are also working closely with partners and have well developed plans and more than adequate resources in place to exercise robust and effective policing if required.”