Jamie Oliver restaurant destroyed by Birmingham rioters

Jamie Oliver has revealed that his restaurant in Birmingham has been "smashed up" by rioters.

Violent disturbances have erupted in the city in response to the ongoing London riots, which began on Saturday following the shooting of alleged drug dealer Mark Duggan by Metropolitan Police.

Oliver revealed on Twitter today that his Italian eatery in Birmingham's Bullring Shopping Centre was among the buildings to have been targeted.

"Sadly my restaurant in Birmingham got smashed up," wrote the celebrity chef. "Windows all gone, whole area closed, can't open, staff and customers all safe thankfully."

Oliver also provided concerned followers with updates on his London-based Recipease food and kitchen shop, tweeting: "My cookery school was in the thick of Clapham riot but seems there not interested in reading or cooking as Waterstones & Resipease go left. (sic)"

As messages poured in from his online following, the 36-year-old thanked fans for their support and praised the efforts of emergency services in affected areas.

Oliver had condemned the riots on Twitter prior to the attack on his restaurant, saying: "So sad to see whats happening in UK with these Riots! all gone mad! time to get our country back now we need 2 come down hard on these idiots.

"My love and thoughts go out to everyone effected by these riots, and all the people i work with who are in the thick of it ...be safe ..."

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