Prime Minister: Do we need social media bans for rioters?

Working with police, intelligence services and industry...

Following the recent riots in London and other UK cities, the government is considering whether it should seek to ban people from using social networks and other communications technologies if they are planning to use them for plotting crimes.

In a statement to the House of Commons, which has been recalled to discuss the riots, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill.

"So we are working with the police, the intelligence services and industry to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality.

"I have also asked the police if they need any other new powers," Cameron added.

He also said the Home Secretary will be meeting with media and social media companies.

It is claimed that Twitter, BlackBerry Messenger and other social media tools have been used by some criminals to plan their activities during the riots, leading some politicians to call for these services to be suspended.

Social media - and Twitter in particular - has also played a very positive role during the last week, both in organising a post-riot clean-up and helping police to identify people involved.