London riots claim first fatality as shot man dies

LONDON, (Reuters) – A 26-year-old man who was shot in  a car in Croydon, south of London, during disturbances this week  has died, becoming the first fatality of riots sweeping Britain,  police said today.
No further details of the death were immediately available.
Hundreds of protesters and police have been injured, mostly  in the capital, since trouble flared on Sunday night.
In the face of growing public demands for firmer action to  be taken against rioters, police said they might consider using  baton rounds — non-lethal rubber or plastic bullets.
“That’s a tactic that will be used by the Metropolitan  police if deemed necessary,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner  Stephen Kavanagh told reporters.
He said police were planning for more mass disorder tonight.