Water cannon may have saved buildings destroyed in riots

. Credit: Press Association

London Mayor Boris Johnson is to face questions about his controversial proposal to arm the capital's police with water cannon.

Scotland Yard wants to buy three German-built water cannon trucks to tackle future riots.

Fire raging through a building in Tottenham during the riots in 2011 Credit: Press Association

Senior officers believe they could have saved some of the buildings destroyed during the 2011 disturbances.

Shops in Tottenham and Croydon were torched during the violence which followed the police shooting of suspected gangster Mark Duggan.

Property on fire near Reeves Corner, Croydon during the 2011 riots Credit: Press Association

The water cannon proposal is expected to cost between £200,000 and £300,000. Boris Johnson will face questions tomorrow from the London Assembly.