COURTS will work into the night and at the weekend to deliver swift justice to rioters, it was revealed last night.

Liverpool council has also told police they will agree to any demands to introduce tough orders to disperse crowds – although the police do not yet believe it to be necessary.

It is understood the idea of a curfew has been dismissed under current conditions because it would be virtually impossible to enforce effectively.

Yesterday, public authorities met for a top-level meeting to discuss the city’s response after a second night of riots.

Cllr Paul Brant, deputy council leader, who was at yesterday’s emergency planning meeting, said: “The chief constable said the police had sufficient powers at the moment.

“In terms of applying for a dispersal order, this has to be done as an application to the courts.

“The council has to give its consent, and you can rest assured that we will assist the police in obtaining these powers if they feel it is necessary.”

“The court service and the Crown Prosecution Service were at today’s meeting and made clear they will do what ever it takes to make sure that everybody brought before the courts are dealt with swiftly.

“They will open for longer and at the weekend if that is required.”

Cllr Brant said he hoped heavy rain yesterday would mean rioters stayed at home, instead of hitting the streets.

The city council last night extended an offer to residents in the streets affected to park their cars in a secure council car park overnight.

On Tuesday night, 70 residents took up the offer to use the Mount Pleasant site free of charge.

The council has also instructed parking wardens not to issue tickets to vehicles parked in riot-hit areas that are involved in the clean-up and repairs.

Wheelie bins were emptied yesterday, and bins that could not be stored on private property have been removed.

Skips have also been moved to avoid leaving ready-made stores of ammunition for rioters.

The court service and Crown Prosecution Service pledged to open courts for longer and at the weekend, if needed, to make sure justice was delivered swiftly.

Speaking early yesterday evening, Cllr Brant said: “It’s just possible that tonight the violence will not happen again.

“It has been raining heavily and that makes hanging around for a few hours less attractive.

“The police effectively contained them last night.

“Although it was terrifying for people in places like Lodge Lane and Lawrence Road, they were prevented from getting to the city centre.

“The arrests and more arrests that will follow are likely to have significantly shifted the initiative against anyone involved in the disturbances.”