Fans rampage in London's streets of shame

Crowds in Arsenal's north London area fought with police and overturned cars as they celebrated their team's FA Cup victory.

A total of 38 people were arrested and one man suffered a fractured skull following a night of violence which police said marred the celebrations.

The fighting began just after 4 pm (UK time) in Blackstock Road near Arsenal's Highbury Ground, even before the Wembley final had finished.

Police had to cordon off the area as crowds partying in the streets stopped traffic and smashed car windows.

As the trouble spread, a bus in the nearby Seven Sisters Road was badly damaged and a police car also came under attack. Fires were started and bottles were thrown at police, who tried to disperse the crowds.

Later in the evening police were called to close more than a dozen pubs in the area at the request of the management as unruly crowds got out of hand.

Chief Superintendent Richard Hebberd of the nearby Holloway police station said the violence would not be used as an excuse to stop further celebrations expected this week.