Games at Upton Park, the Valley and Selhurst Park have all been postponed

All Carling Cup matches in the capital due to take place tonight are postponed

Tonight’s Carling Cup matches at West Ham, Charlton and Crystal Palace have been called off in the wake of the London riots.

All three have been postponed on police advice due to officers being deployed elsewhere.

“Every football match in London is subject to assessment around police resources,” said a Metropolitan Police spokesman.

West Ham said in a statement that they were informed by police that “all major public events in London were to be rearranged because of the need to focus police resources elsewhere.”

While a Crystal Palace statement released this morning read: “Following consultation with the Borough Commander and a police meeting held this morning tonight’s Carling Cup tie against Crawley Town has been postponed.”

Addicks chief executive Stephen Kavanagh said: “We’ve been monitoring the situation as it’s been developing all evening, and have been in constant contact with the police.

“Clearly the most important factor is people’s safety. The police have told us they believe the match should be postponed on safety grounds, and obviously we have taken that advice.”