London, Aug 9: England and Manchester United footballers Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have appealed to London rioters to stop their violence.

"These riots are nuts why would people do this to there own country. Own city. This is embarrassing for our country. Stop please," Rooney wrote on Twitter.

When a follower blamed the riots on people being young and out of work, Rooney replied: "so because they don't work, it's ok to burn down buildings and break into homes, do me a favour, and, stop talking rubbish."

Meanwhile, Ferdinand believes that the presence of armed forces may end the `madness'.

"London's burning, riots galore.... what will this solve?? The scenes on Sky news right now are shocking.. what is this all in aid of?? Innocent peoples homes + livelihoods have gone up in smoke-why?" the Daily Mirror quoted Ferdinand, as saying on his Twitter profile.

"It seems these kids/people have no fear or respect for the police.... may be the army will get that respect?? And I am not saying bring violence, I am saying the presence of the army may make these kids/people think twice about continuing this??"

Then in a message posted around 4a. m., the defender wrote: "I can't sleep, I've got the news stations on watching the coverage of the riots. this is a madness."

British police have arrested over 330 people in connection with the riots that first erupted in Tottenham during the weekend and spread across London on Monday night.

Commander Christine Jones of the Metropolitan Police had said that shops were looted and officers were attacked during the violence - the worst disorder seen in London for years.

The first night of rioting began after a vigil for a 29-year-old man shot dead by police as they tried to arrest him in Tottenham on Thursday. (ANI)