London’s retailers shut doors on riot fears

Sporadic violence has re-emerged after a nightmarish weekend in the capital, with windows smashed in shops in Hackney. In anticipation of further rioting, retailers in surrounding areas have shut their doors, fearful for staff safety and property damage.

Riots broke out in Tottenham on Saturday 6 August relating to the investigation of the police shooting of Mark Dugan. Extensive property damage and looting occurred in the area with several shops targeted by looters including Lidl and H&M. By Sunday, rioting and looting had spread to Wood Green, with several shops being broken into.

Condemning the actions, Director General of the British Retail Consortium, Stephen Robertson, said: “I deplore the violence and property damage inflicted by these criminal actions. I have the greatest sympathy for those who’ve lost businesses, staff whose jobs are now in jeopardy and customers now without local services.

“There may be genuine economic or community relations grievances in these areas but they will not be helped by torching shops.”

Ironically, many of the shops so far damaged have been those serving local communities, with post offices and supermarkets proving targets. The riots are expected to have a detrimental effect to local economies, as shop keepers remain fearful to open shops in the face of the disturbances.