The death toll from the current London riots has risen to five, as a 68-year-old man was attacked by a mob as he tried to stamp out a fire, the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting. Richard Mannington Bowes, who was left in a coma on August 8 after sustaining injuries in the riots in Ealing, west London, died three days later.

Detectives have launched a murder inquiry, after 1500 people were arrested in London in connection to the riots. More than 500 people have been charged with crimes relating to the outbreaks. The government is currently discussing ways to prevent more violent riots from breaking out.

British Prime Minister David Cameron held another meeting of the government’s emergency committee on August 11, a day after he vowed to do whatever it takes to restore order to the streets. In a message to the courts, he said anyone charged in connection to the riots should be remanded. Anyone convicted should expect to go to jail, he added. Harry Fletcher, the assistant general secretary of the probation officers’ union NAPO, added that about 2500 people across England have been arrested in connection to the riots and looting.

Police expect to perform a post-mortem exam on Bowes within the coming days. Police are also investigating the death of a man shot by police, which acted as a trigger for the first night’s rioting in Tottenham.

Written by: Karen Benardello