LONDON — Prime Minister David Cameron said today that Britain would look to the United States for solutions to gang violence after nights of riots and looting, and promised authorities would get strong powers to stop street mayhem erupting again.

Cameron told lawmakers he was “are acting decisively to restore order on our streets,” as police raided houses to round up suspects from four nights of unrest in London and other English cities.

Cameron said he would seek American advice on fighting the street gangs he blamed for helping spark Britain’s riots.

Cameron told lawmakers that he would look to cities like Boston for inspiration, and mentioned former Los Angeles and New York Police Chief Bill Bratton as a person who could help offer advice.

He said he wanted to look at cities that had fought gangs “by engaging the police, the voluntary sector and local government.”

“I also believe we should be looking beyond our shores to learn the lessons from others who have faced similar problems,” Cameron said.

He said the government, police and intelligence services were looking at whether there should be limits on the use of social media sites like Twitter and Facebook or services like BlackBerry Messenger to spread disorder.

BlackBerry’s simple and largely cost free messaging service was used by rioters to coordinate their activities, Cameron’s office said.

By The Associated Press