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JANE ATKINSON
TikTok idiots who incited Oxford Street riot must go to prison – they cannot just be ticked off without proper deterrent
MY four-year-old turned to me this week and asked – in complete seriousness – if he could have his very own mobile phone to “arrange playdates”.
At first I laughed. But after seeing what has happened on the streets of Britain this week, the thought of him getting his own phone and using social media made my blood run cold.
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On Wednesday, troublemakers circulated a Snapchat image on TikTok calling for followers to “rob JD Sports” in London’s Oxford Street.
The threat, which went viral, came complete with a “dress code” of “bally and gloves”.
Driven by an obsession for clicks, marauding youngsters did as they were told, knowing that this was a perfect way to attract attention to their own social media. What a vile vicious circle.
Shoppers were warned to stay away, Tube stations were closed and the terrified stores pulled down their shutters with customers still inside.
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More than 100 teenagers ran amok as security officers and police, wielding batons, tried to disperse them.
Some youths were seen being wrestled away in handcuffs, and one woman with a pram was knocked to the ground.
Nine people were arrested and a dispersal order was put in place until 10am on Thursday.
But by then balaclava-clad TikToker organisers had moved on with a fun, new message, telling their followers to head to the seaside town of Southend in Essex and “get lit” on the beach (or, to you and me, party after taking loads of drugs and booze).
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Essex Police were given powers to ask anyone they suspected of acting antisocially to leave the area — or arrest them.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council said it feared copycats will now target high streets across the country.
It isn’t surprising because this is a picture we have repeatedly seen in America. Looting started in California in 2021 but spread from state to state.
But this is one US craze we don’t want on our shores.
What we saw this week needs to be nipped in the bud. Now.
Our country is already full of ghost towns. Our high streets are on their knees.
Following the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, some of our biggest names have gone for good, with Wilko falling into administration this week. Many others are fighting for survival.
Morons inciting teenagers to rampage through our high streets can only make this crisis worse.
If shoppers are simply too scared to walk along them in broad daylight for fear of rioting thugs, then there will be no choice but to pull down the shutters for good.
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Marks & Spencer’s operations director Sacha Berendji spoke out following the Oxford Street incident and said that this “jewel in London’s shopping crown” was already decimated.
He said it is full of “empty shops, littered streets and fewer visitors”.
And he said something “must be done to save Oxford Street”.
I agree.
The one glaringly obvious thing that can be done is to send these TikTok louts to prison — for a decent stretch — to stop them inciting violence like this.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman says “those responsible must be hunted down and locked up”.
Those cannot be hollow words because these social media yobs planned for youngsters to meet en masse.
What they did was organise a crime, they incited a riot, and surely that deserves a prison sentence.
These TikTok idiots cannot just be ticked off without a proper deterrent, or my little boy will be part of a generation who sees these gatherings as cool playdates.
Berry thong shoot
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ISABELLE Berry is an OnlyFans model.
She has an impressive pair of 34DD enhanced boobs, a Brazilian bum lift – and a lot of balls.
She decided this week to shove on a thong and parade around the King’s front lawn at Windsor Castle for a photo shoot. As you do.
She explained that she “doesn’t really get embarrassed”, which was blatantly clear, and she only did the photo shoot because her fans asked her to.
I can’t wait to see what she does next. Bet Charles isn’t so keen.
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PRINCE Harry is in Japan for a summit on sport, community and philanthropy and told an audience: “I would happily live here if you’d have me.”
If you believe the marriage rumours, Meghan would probably help him pack his bags.
Jet's ex reveal
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YOU’VE got to give it to Gladiators star Jet – she doesn’t miss an opportunity.
Last month Jet – AKA Diane Youdale – announced she had secretly married her first same-sex partner Zoe Gilbert after meeting her in a Tesco car park.
But this week, her ex (a woman) said that was utter rubbish and they’d had a romance after meeting during a stroll in the woods.
Who needs Tinder, eh?
Breast choice for us
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RIHANNA has released a picture of herself breastfeeding her 15-month-old son RZA to promote her company’s new range of maternity bras. She looks glamorous and content.
And she joins an army of celebrities helping to break the taboo of breastfeeding in public.
Which is brilliant, because a two-minute Google search tells us breast really is best and protects against allergies, obesity, infections and diseases.
Babies breastfed for at least a year are 39 per cent more likely to do better in English and Maths GCSEs, apparently.
But can we spare a thought for those who HAVE to use formula, and may feel utterly miserable about all of this?
One of my closest friends couldn’t breastfeed. Her daughter wouldn’t latch on, never got a drop of breast milk and my friend got postnatal depression.
But I’m happy to report that her daughter is now an amazing 19-year-old who did brilliantly in her A levels, is at university, doesn’t have allergies and certainly isn’t obese.
Oh, and my mate, at nearly 50, still has a cracking pair of boobs.
Coleen is aisles ahead
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FAIR play to Coleen Rooney. The Wag went out grocery shopping this week with an environmentally friendly bag for life and a pair of stylish stiletto sandals.
If I wore heels like that, I could see myself falling flat on my face in the middle of Aldi.
Forgetful Noel joins the 'cue
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THERE are some things we just don’t need to discover.
After Liam Gallagher had a hip replacement, now 56-year-old brother Noel says he is on course to use an autocue because he forgets his own lyrics on stage.
Not exactly rock ’n’ roll, is it?
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I’VE never been a Strictly fan but that’s about to change with Les Dennis in the line-up.
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I met him once and he’s charming. He’s nearly 70, had a knee replacement, lost three stone after being told he was pre-diabetic and says being offered a place on the show has put “a spring” back in his step.
He also says he’s not a trained dancer and doesn’t “know about the cha-cha-cha”. But I can’t wait to see him give it a go.
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