Mom smacks son across face after catching him in the Baltimore riots

TV crews caught the extraordinary moment a mother slapped her son across the face after spotting him taking part in the Baltimore riots.

Footage shows an angry woman grab her bandana-clad boy by the scruff of his neck before repeatedly smacking him and pushing him away from the violent scenes.

A state of emergency has been declared in the city after thousands poured onto the streets in the aftermath of the death of a black him injured in police custody.

Freddie Gray, 25, died last week after spending one week in a coma. Six police officers have been suspended pending an investigation.

Around 5,000 National Guard troops have been deployed and a curfew has been set in a bid to restore order.

A total of 15 officers have been injured since protests broke out.

Scenes of violence have been broadcast across the world – but social media is shining a light on those trying to defuse riots.