Tottenham community representatives told police and prosecutors yesterday to shape up after a man was acquitted on "farcical" charges of murdering PC Keith Blakelock in the 1985 Broadwater Farm riot.

Nicky Jacobs was found not guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

Mr Jacobs, 16 at the time of the incident, was the seventh person to be charged with the officer's murder but no-one has been brought to justice for the killing.

Tottenham community representative Stafford Scott, who had supported Mr Jacobs, said that questions should be raised with the Crown Prosecution Service and Director of Public Prosecutions as to why such a "farcical" case came to trial.

He told reporters outside the court: "It is not a day of joy. Everybody should be able to take the notion of receiving justice as standard."

Haringey TUC secretary Keith Flett also said major concerns existed over how the Metropolitan Police and the CPS brought the case against Mr Jacobs, including over witnesses who had previously been paid sums of money by the police.

"Of course the police will continue to investigate un-solved crimes but there is a concern that there is not a level playing field," said Mr Flett.

"The case of who was responsible for the death of the anti-fascist demonstrator Blair Peach in Southall 35 years ago this month does not seem to be attracting much police interest."

The Crown Prosecution Service accepted the verdict, but insisted that "it was right" to bring the case against Mr Jacobs.