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BRC: Retailers and staff are vulnerable and need protecting
BRC calls for assurances from Government on efforts to address violence in London and across the UK
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has called on the Government to provide assurances on a number of issues affecting retailers resulting from the violence seen over the last 72 hours, and which is set to continue tonight.
JD Sports has been highly visible throughout the riot with looters ransacking its shops, as well as those of retailers across other categories. JD Sports has said it does not yet know the extent of the damage and losses it has seen, and that the safety of its staff is its immediate priority.
16,000 police are due to be on the streets of the capital this evening, an extra 10,000 compared to the 6,000 last night (August 8), in order to restore faith in the actions being taken to bring an end to the unrest.
The BRC has said it will ask home secretary Theresa May directly about key issues, including: assurances the police and fire services are adequately resourced and equipped, and are authorised to use robust operational tactics to close down situations quickly; assurances there will be resolute pursuit of offenders with effective prosecutions, in contrast to the West End protests earlier this year; immediate support to help shopkeepers protect their properties, including timely intelligence and practical assistance in securing and clearing up after attacks; early discussions on how affected communities can be helped to recover, given the likelihood that a significant number of small shops will fail following these attacks; joint discussions with the insurance industry to ensure affordable insurance remains available in the affected areas and more widely to the sector; and joint discussions with the banks to ensure short to medium term credit arrangements enable retailers to refit and re-open.
BRC director general Stephen Robertson (pictured) said: "The shocking levels of lawlessness breaking out across the UK are hitting the heart of our communities. The police have shown great courage in facing the vandals but it is imperative retailers know that resources and plans are in place to prevent any repeat of this trouble.
"Targeting local shops as an expression of anger and frustration is mindless. These criminal acts destroy community resources, hurting local businesses and threatening people's jobs. Staff are being intimidated and traumatised. Those responsible must be prosecuted and punished. Retailers and their staff are particularly vulnerable and need protecting.
"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. Banks need to offer good credit arrangements to those targeted so as many as possible have a chance to refit and reopen.
"I'm reassured that many people have expressed their disgust at the events of the past few days. I hope they'll join retailers in doing all they can to rebuild their neighbourhoods."
