In Birmingham, a vigil has been held for three Pakistani men on Thursday who died after being hit by a car while protecting property during the London riots.

The candle-lit vigil for Haroon Jahan, 21, Shahzad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, was attended by some 200 people, and was entirely peaceful.

They gathered on the exact spot on Birmingham's Dudley Road where three young men died when they were hit by a car in the early hours of Wednesday.

The 200 or so - mainly Muslim young men - who gathered say the victims were simply trying to protect their property against marauding looters.

Police closed the road but kept a relatively low profile as the event continued. The riot gear - used so many times in recent days - was left inside the police vans pulled up at a discreet distance.

At the scene, mourners laid flowers, lit candles and said prayers in memory of the dead.

Tariq Jahan - whose 21 year-old son Haroon was among those killed - has emerged as a calm voice of authority here. He urged his community to remain peaceful and was heard in an atmosphere of quiet respect.

Harpreet Singh, 28, who helped to organise the vigil, told the crowd: "Let this be a message to other communities, not just Muslims and Sikhs, let's stand together, let's hold candlelight vigils.

"People have been hurt, families have been hurt, if we don't stop this, and the people who are rioting do not stop this, there will be more people dying. It has to stop and we are standing here united."

Mr Cameron said the deaths were "truly dreadful" and offered his condolences to the men's families.

A 32-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of murder after the men were run over and killed.

The prime minister will chair a meeting of the government's emergency committee and discuss the violence with cabinet ministers before making a statement on the rioting during an emergency session of parliament on Thursday morning.

He is expected to give details of financial help for people who have lost homes or businesses.

On Wednesday, Mr Cameron said the "fightback" was under way and said every action would be taken to restore order, with contingency plans for water cannon to be available at 24 hours' notice.