LANCASHIRE police officers were applauded on to the streets of London by grateful resident as they helped restore calm to the under-seige capital.

Sergeant Andy Maltman said the response had been ‘tremendous’ from a ‘very tense’ public, who had seen three consecutive nights of rioting, looting, arson and violence.

And he defended the Met’s tactics as they came under fire Sgt Maltman is a trained public order tactical adviser and has been involved in the English Defence League protests in Preston, Blackburn and Blackpool this year, as well as the Burnley riots a decade ago.

He said the morale in the Lancashire camp of 76 officers had been high, with hundreds of messages of support from colleagues.

“Everyone wants to be involved,” he said. “It is a one-off situation and an opportunity to help colleagues in another force area, as they did for us during the Burnley disorder.

“My family have been really supportive, even when I told them we’d be here for a few more days.

"The children are a little bit apprehensive because it is all on television, but I kept them updated and that helps.”

The Lancashire support units were briefed and sent straight out into the Paddington area on high visibility reassurance and deterrent duties.

Officers’ duties also included visiting retail parks in full riot gear and picking up the pieces of a smashed Tesco store.

Sgt Maltman said: “Everything had calmed down, but there was a very tense atmosphere still amongst the public.

"And as we were driving around the areas, people were clapping us like the cavalry.

"It was a really good, unique experience. It is amazing how the public support has turned around.”

The Police Federation has also reassured the public that sending the riot-trained officers to the capital had not left Lancashire vulnerable if trouble had broken out here.

“These officers are all volunteers and their absence is covered by other officers who gave up their days off,” said John O’Reilly, chairman of the Lancashire Police Federation.