People who handle goods looted in August's riots could also face eviction, according to Wandsworth Council.

The local authority faced a media storm in August when it announced it would press to evict council tenants who had taken part in the riots.

The initial focus was on Daniel Sartain Clark whose case is still waiting to be heard.

The fine print of each council tenancy agreement includes a promise not to "damage" the area or the reputation of the area they live in.

In normal circumstances it would appear that people caught with stolen goods would not fall foul of this but on Monday a spokesman for Wandsworth Council said: "In our view anyone who lives in council-owned accommodation who is convicted of any offences arising out of the looting and destruction that affected Clapham Junction in August would be likely to have breached tenancy conditions."

Dozens of Wandsworth residents have been charged with handling a number of stolen items in the wake of the riots.

The Sentencing Council, which promotes consistency in judicial decisions across England and Wales, last week decided that prison terms for burglary during any future riots needed to be even longer than the ones currently being handed out - as much as 12 months behind bars.

It also decided that those who target peoples' homes will receive two years prison sentences. Those convicted of armed attacks on homes could get up to nine years rather than four.

A statement said: "The council recognises the damage caused and consequences of such events, especially for small businesses and shop owners living above or near premises.

"We have therefore included the context of general public disorder as a factor indicating greater harm caused in any burglary offence."