The British Retail Consortium is looking for tough action following several days of rioting in London and that has spread to other major UK cities.
The group says that it is seeking “urgent reassurances” over a number of issues and plans to put these points directly to the Home Secretary, Theresa May.
These include:
- Assurances that the Police and Fire services are adequately equipped and are authorised to use robust tactics.
- Assurances that the culprits will be pursued and prosecuted.
- Immediate support to help shopkeepers protect their property.
- Discussion on how to support local communities, especially with the fact that some businesses will be forced to close and jobs lost as a result of the violence.
- Joint discussions to ensure that insurance premiums remain affordable.
- Joint discussions to ensure short and medium term credit arrangements.
“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,” said the director general of the BRC, Stephen Robertson.
“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.”
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