Poland's midnight sales a real riot

A consumer electronics chain's idea of starting a sale at midnight went badly wrong in Poland when looters went on the rampage.

"Several individuals were very violent and were probably under the influence of alcohol," police spokesman Miroslaw Micor said.

Around 150 police used their batons to restore order.

Some 3,000 people piled into the Lodz branch of Media Markt, owned by Germany's Metro, as it opened its doors.

Some smashed windows, wrecked cash registers and helped themselves to sale goods.

A dozen people were treated by ambulance crews for injuries.

-- Reuters