Dalston's Turkish and Kurdish community have been praised for standing up to London rioters.

Dalston's Turkish and Kurdish community have been praised after standing up to London rioters.

Many shopkeepers and their families defended Kingsland Road in Dalston over the past two nights after rioters went on a rampage in Hackney.

Hundreds reportedly gathered to protect their businesses and properties, alledgedly carrying broken billiard cues for protection.

"They created a barrier and chased the kids back," Burcu Bay, who works as a waitress at Tugra, a Turkish sweet shop and cafe on Dalston's main thoroughfare, was quoted as saying by The Wall Street Journal today. "It was like being in a war."

Many members of the Dalston and wider Hackney community have shared their support for the shopkeepers on Twitter. Some commented that we should now be shopping in the grocery stores to show our support.

The Guardian published a video of the standoff, which you can view here. Thank you to ismaSan on Flickr for the image, you can see more here.

Dalston resident Nick Horne has organised an event to thank the Turkish and Kurdish community in Dalston.

"Thank Turk It's Saturday" encourages people in Dalston to pay back the shopkeepers by giving them custom.

He says on Facebook: "So get up, grab a paper from a corner shop, go to a local cafe, get your hair done at a turkish barber shop, go to one of our lovely Turkish supermarkets to get your shopping in, eat out at a restaurant or grab a takeaway Pide or kebab then have some drinks in a Turkish bar. Come on Dalston this is pay back time!"

He is encouraging people to make the event more widespread by inviting neighbours, friends and family along.

Dalston People recommend Mangal, Cirrik, Stone Cave and Somine Restaurant for some great Turkish food!

Latest in Hackney

Although there has been no sign of the rioters on Tuesday or today in Hackney, there is still a heavy police presence patrolling the streets.

Many beat officers have postponed their annual leave to help protect Hackney against troublemakers.

Local residents are trying to continue as usual, with many shops opening for business today after closing early on Tuesday afternoon.

However, many shops boarded their windows and doors up again as a precaution this evening.

The Dove in Broadway Market was one of these, as was Buggies and Bikes.

Police were patrolling London Fields earlier today, and have been chatting to businesses around Hackney offering advice.

Click for pictures of the aftermath in Dalston and Hackney, and shops taking precautions for more trouble.