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More than 10% of UK retail and leisure businesses have been directly affected by looting and riots, according to an analysis of 28 towns centres by the Local Data Company.
Independent businesses, defined as those operating less than five outlets, account for 65.67% of those damaged.
The report shows that 48,404 shops, pubs, restaurants, pubs and clubs have been directly or indirectly impacted by the disorder, equating to 10.2% of all 475,809 retail and leisure premises tracked by the Local Data Company. In light of additional locations such as stand-alone supermarkets and retail parks also coming under attack this figure should be considered as a minimum.
2.30pm
The British Retail Consortium has received assurances from Home Secretary Theresa May and Business Secretary Vince Cable that those responsible for the wave of destruction will be punished appropriately. This has not always happened after previous protests targeting retailers, according to the trade body, who believes criminals responsible for shop theft and vandalism need to feel the full force of the law to reduce the likelihood of retailers coming under attack in future.
BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: "The response of the government and police forces across the country to the recent wave of mindless destruction has been encouraging. For too long, shop crime has been wrongly regarded as a low priority.
"There is a myth that stealing from stores is victimless and that police resources are better used elsewhere. The sad events of the past week should have brought home to everyone the huge economic and human costs which are caused by crime against the retail sector.
"The police and the courts need to place greater emphasis on catching and punishing those responsible for all shop crime."
12.30pm
Prime Minister David Cameron told a news conference outside 10 Downing Street that plans are in place to bring water cannon to the UK if the riots worsen.
Speaking after the second meeting of the COBRA security committee, Cameron said every tactic to control rioters and put a stop to the continued violence is being looked at and "nothing is off the table". Police have already been authorised to use baton rounds, he added.
10.45am
Labour leader Ed Milliband has called on the government to give immediate help and support to ensure anyone affected by the riots across the UK in recent days does not have to wait for payments through their insurance companies.
In a statement he said:
"As well as ensuring public safety we need immediate help for those people who have lost homes and businesses. As we see in natural disasters like floods, we need focused support so that these victims of the violence get the support they need.
"That means the Government working with the insurance industry to put in place fast track procedures with immediate effect so that individuals and businesses making claims do not have to wait for the money they need to start putting things right.
"It also means providing targeted financial support for the most affected councils. They must be given access to funds from central government to address the damage to public spaces and infrastructure, and to provide the immediate support for those innocent victims of this violence who have seen their homes and small businesses damaged or destroyed.
"Those who have been the immediate victims of this inexcusable violence cannot be left to cope alone."
9am
Retailers need to move quickly over insurance in the wake of rioting across England.
Last night the Association of Convenience Stores met with Home Secretary Theresa May to discuss prioritising people’s safety over property, as well as insurance.
The meeting, attended by ACS chief executive James Lowman and other business representatives, was called to discuss the impact of the recent riots across the UK on retailers and look at how businesses can stay safe in the continuing volatile climate.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Retailers need to hear a consistent message from government that the safety of people is more important than property.”
Nick Starling, director of general insurance at the Association of British Insurers said: “Most commercial insurance policies will cover businesses for damage to their premises, including the interruption to their business as a result of fire, looting and the other damage caused by the recent riots. Some policies will also cover those businesses which are not damaged but whose trade has been affected by the aftermath.”
He advised businesses to check policy terms and conditions, and call insurance companies for clarification of what is covered in policies. Most insurers require claims to be notified within seven days, so firms are being urged to act quickly.
Ben Stephenson, who runs Hanging Ditch in Manchester, said that fortunately his business had escaped unscathed in last night’s trouble. A neighbouring Harvey Nichols and Louis Vuitton had doors and windows smashed however, and Stephenson closed early as a precaution. “We’ll be shutting early today, and I’ve just been checking insurance this morning as well to make sure we’re covered in case anything happens.”
Some firms may also be entitled to compensation from local police authorities under the Riot Damages Act 1886, but there is a 14-day window to make a claim.
More than 10% of UK retail and leisure businesses have been directly affected by looting and riots, according to an analysis of 28 towns centres by the Local Data Company.
Independent businesses, defined as those operating less than five outlets, account for 65.67% of those damaged.
The report shows that 48,404 shops, pubs, restaurants, pubs and clubs have been directly or indirectly impacted by the disorder, equating to 10.2% of all 475,809 retail and leisure premises tracked by the Local Data Company. In light of additional locations such as stand-alone supermarkets and retail parks also coming under attack this figure should be considered as a minimum.
2.30pm
The British Retail Consortium has received assurances from Home Secretary Theresa May and Business Secretary Vince Cable that those responsible for the wave of destruction will be punished appropriately. This has not always happened after previous protests targeting retailers, according to the trade body, who believes criminals responsible for shop theft and vandalism need to feel the full force of the law to reduce the likelihood of retailers coming under attack in future.
BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: "The response of the government and police forces across the country to the recent wave of mindless destruction has been encouraging. For too long, shop crime has been wrongly regarded as a low priority.
"There is a myth that stealing from stores is victimless and that police resources are better used elsewhere. The sad events of the past week should have brought home to everyone the huge economic and human costs which are caused by crime against the retail sector.
"The police and the courts need to place greater emphasis on catching and punishing those responsible for all shop crime."
12.30pm
Prime Minister David Cameron told a news conference outside 10 Downing Street that plans are in place to bring water cannon to the UK if the riots worsen.
Speaking after the second meeting of the COBRA security committee, Cameron said every tactic to control rioters and put a stop to the continued violence is being looked at and "nothing is off the table". Police have already been authorised to use baton rounds, he added.
10.45am
Labour leader Ed Milliband has called on the government to give immediate help and support to ensure anyone affected by the riots across the UK in recent days does not have to wait for payments through their insurance companies.
In a statement he said:
"As well as ensuring public safety we need immediate help for those people who have lost homes and businesses. As we see in natural disasters like floods, we need focused support so that these victims of the violence get the support they need.
"That means the Government working with the insurance industry to put in place fast track procedures with immediate effect so that individuals and businesses making claims do not have to wait for the money they need to start putting things right.
"It also means providing targeted financial support for the most affected councils. They must be given access to funds from central government to address the damage to public spaces and infrastructure, and to provide the immediate support for those innocent victims of this violence who have seen their homes and small businesses damaged or destroyed.
"Those who have been the immediate victims of this inexcusable violence cannot be left to cope alone."
9am
Retailers need to move quickly over insurance in the wake of rioting across England.
Last night the Association of Convenience Stores met with Home Secretary Theresa May to discuss prioritising people’s safety over property, as well as insurance.
The meeting, attended by ACS chief executive James Lowman and other business representatives, was called to discuss the impact of the recent riots across the UK on retailers and look at how businesses can stay safe in the continuing volatile climate.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Retailers need to hear a consistent message from government that the safety of people is more important than property.”
Nick Starling, director of general insurance at the Association of British Insurers said: “Most commercial insurance policies will cover businesses for damage to their premises, including the interruption to their business as a result of fire, looting and the other damage caused by the recent riots. Some policies will also cover those businesses which are not damaged but whose trade has been affected by the aftermath.”
He advised businesses to check policy terms and conditions, and call insurance companies for clarification of what is covered in policies. Most insurers require claims to be notified within seven days, so firms are being urged to act quickly.
Ben Stephenson, who runs Hanging Ditch in Manchester, said that fortunately his business had escaped unscathed in last night’s trouble. A neighbouring Harvey Nichols and Louis Vuitton had doors and windows smashed however, and Stephenson closed early as a precaution. “We’ll be shutting early today, and I’ve just been checking insurance this morning as well to make sure we’re covered in case anything happens.”
Some firms may also be entitled to compensation from local police authorities under the Riot Damages Act 1886, but there is a 14-day window to make a claim.
