London, Aug 11 (IANS) Tens of thousands of people have petitioned the government to take strict actions, including evicition from council houses, against the convicted rioters and looters, a media report said Thursday.


Over 83,000 people have signed the e-petition so far, but it has proved so popular that the government site hosting it crashed under the strain, the Daily Mail reported.

Meanwhile, Manchester and Salford councils have promised to take action against the looters, including evicting them from council properties, the newspaper said.

The moves are a response to the huge public demand to bring the rioters to justice, it said.

The e-petition started by Stephen Mains Wednesday states: "Any persons convicted of criminal acts during the current London riots should have all financial benefits removed."

"No tax payer should have to contribute to those who have destroyed property, stolen from their community and shown a disregard for the country that provides for them."

If 100,000 people sign the petition, it will trigger a process that could end up with MPs voting on the plan, the Mail said.

All petitions hitting the landmark total are referred to the backbench business committee, which decides certain motions for parliamentary debates.

A notice posted on the page said: "Sorry if you're experiencing problems accessing e-petitions. There is currently a much higher level of demand than we expected."

"Any benefit recipient who is convicted of an offence and is imprisoned, will lose their benefit entitlement," the Mail said quoting a spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions.

Further action could be taken against looters across the country as the public backlash begins against the mob.

In Manchester, housing associations have been requested to stop the tenancies of anyone found with stolen goods looted from businesses Tuesday night when riots hit the city.