M.I.A. Offers Mars Bars to London Rioters in Controversial Tweet

Artists have been quick to respond via Twitter to the terrible scenes of riots and looting that have spread across London and to other parts of the country -- with M.I.A. causing controversy with support for the rioters.

With communities pitching into mop up the damage caused overnight, music journalist Simon Price is one of several tweeters to claim Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly's Sam Duckworth has set up the @Riotcleanup account to help publicise efforts to get stuck in.

M.I.A. meanwhile, was her usual confrontational self, tweeting: "I'm going down to the riot to hand out tea and mars bars," NME.com reports, causing a huge amount of negative reaction. Gaelle Beri asked via Twitter, "does someone have M.I.A manager/PR details? she needs to be invoiced."

Ironically, the outspoken artist is signed to XL which could well be affected by the fire at a warehouse that has destroyed much stock held by record distributors, including indie firm PIAS.

Alex Kapranos, the more thoughtful Franz Ferdinand frontman, tweeted, "Thoughts go out to all the labels who have lost their stock in PIAS fire."

Example reacted to events with more humour, suggesting, "If you're gonna set fire to any house in London please make it the Big Brother house."

Reported by Chris Mugan for AOL Music UK

Watch Footage of the Riots in London