LONDON — The British Retail Consortium on Monday hit out against rioters who attacked shops, retail parks and other public spaces over the weekend.
The violence — some of the worst that London has seen for decades — began in Tottenham, a low-income area in north London, after a local man was shot by police on Thursday.
The riots began on Saturday night and by Sunday the violence, arson, and looting had unexpectedly spread, in isolated patches, to Brixton in the south, and other parts of north London including Dalston — a very trendy neighborhood; Enfield, and Walthamstow.
Stores that were damaged and looted included JD Sports, Foot Locker, the electrical retailer Currys, Sainsbury’s, Bhs, and T-Mobile. Local businesses, including jewelry shops and hardware stores were also vandalized and looted.
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“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,” said Stephen Robertson, director general of British Retail Consortium, the retailers’ trade association.
“There may be genuine economic or community relations grievances in these areas, but they will not be helped by torching shops. Clearly, with high streets under pressure anyway, at least some of the businesses destroyed will not be able to reestablish themselves, causing long-term damage.
“And, at a time when some of London’s most deprived areas are looking forward to a substantial spending boost from visitors to next year’s Olympics, this sends an appalling message to would-be tourists around the world,” he added.
Central London retail was not affected. “A small number of youths congregated in Oxford Circus on Sunday night, but they were quickly moved on,” said Jace Tyrrell, spokesman for the New West End Company, the organization that represents businesses in Mayfair and around Oxford Circus. “There was no damage to property or people in the Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Bond Street areas. Retailers are being asked to be vigilant but that’s across London.”