that evening, the police lost control of the area for approximately 48 hours. in the subsequent riot, severe injuries were sustained by both sides, with police injured as they were attacked by young black and white youths equipped with bricks and wooden stakes. after further skirmishes, the rioters built a defensive wall out of upturned cars across the brixton road, which were set alight at various times. from behind this wall, the rioters threw petrol bombs at the police, and looted local shops. police later stated that they made 149 arrests that evening, mostly for violence, 20 for burglary and theft and two for petrol bombing.