Soccer: Peckham-raised England defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed shock at the rioting which has escalated in London and spread to other cities.

Ferdinand, 32, was last night watching television pictures of the violent scenes which saw vehicles and property go up in flames and shops looted, and suggested the Army should be brought in to quell the disorder.

He wrote in three consecutive messages on Twitter: "The scenes on Sky news right now are shocking..what is this all in aid of?? Innocent peoples [sic] homes + livelihoods have gone up in smoke-why?

"It seems these kids/people have no fear or respect for the police....maybe the army will get that respect??

"And I am not saying bring violence, I am saying the presence of the army may make these kids/people think twice about continuing this??"

Ferdinand's England and Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney pleaded for the trouble to stop.

Rooney wrote on Twitter: "These riots are nuts why would people do this to there [sic] own country. Own city. This is embarrassing for our country. Stop please."