Citizens have watched, helpless, as rioters have destroyed their communities. But on the fourth day of riots in London, they are fighting back.
The tumblr website Catch A Looter was set up this morning and it has received a huge response from the public, attracting comments and trending on twitter.
Catch a Looter is the effort of an anonymous citizen who is running the website while maintaining a day job.
"You can't just stand idly by letting people do what they want," says the founder.
"I am just someone who wanted to try, in some way, to fight back against thugs and criminals. Have you seen the video of the attacked lad getting robbed? That's why."
Catch a Looter is part of a wider movement to challenge the violence. The website is very clear that it does not promote vigilante action. "This isn't for people to presume guilt and take action - simply to gather all images in one place to make things easier for people to identify and report to Crimestoppers."
The website draws attention to the crimes, not the motives. "I was irritated by some people blaming social media, some people saying it was just black people looting, some people saying it was a protest, in my opinion it's just thieving," says the founder.
We are witnessing a desire for justice - aided by the public and not wholly reliant on an overstretched police force.
Last night, The Guardian reported that the Turkish community blocked rioters on Kingsland High Street, Dalston. Their mission: to protect their stores.
A shopkeeper says, "They've broken all our shops... there is not enough police here."
The same sentiment is heard in footage of the Clapham riots, posted on youtube. A bystander asks police, "Where have you been? It's been hours."
A huge cheer is heard when the police catch one of the looters. A girl yells, "Put the handcuffs on man! Put the handcuffs on!"
The crowd chants "scum" and one man shouts "shame on you" - among other obscenities.
Citizens are increasingly unwilling to be passive bystanders. The founder of Catch a Looter says, "I just want to be a central point for all the pics, for convenience. This may make no difference at all, but at least I tried."