Retail group seeks riot help from Home Office
The British Retail Consortium is to ask the Home Secretary Theresa May for immediate support to help shopkeepers protect their properties in the wake of the disturbances in London and other cities.
It is to ask for “timely intelligence” to help prevent shops from further attack and practical assistance in clearing up.
Businesses in areas most badly affected by the riots have been receiving assistance from voluntary clean-up groups of local residents brought together through social media campaigns.
The BRC said it also wants urgent discussions with the insurance industry to keep affordable premiums in areas most badly hit.
It is asking banks to offer short to medium-term credit arrangements to help retailers to refit and reopen.
BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: “Targeting local shops as an expression of anger and frustration is mindless.
“Staff are being intimidated and traumatised.
“As well as the immediate bills caused by damage and theft, there will be longer-term costs. Inevitably, some businesses which have been attacked will never open their doors again.”
