CommunitySafe.gov.uk

Tuesday 16th August 2011

As a result of our feedback from you, and as London returns to normal we have considered the frequency of our updates. We plan to publish on Friday to review the week and Monday to review events and issues over the weekend. We will of course keep this under review.

Large numbers of police officers continue to be on duty in London to robustly deal with any disorder and provide reassurance.

The general picture across the Metropolitan Police Service at present is one of ‘business as usual’. There have been no significant issues overnight, and no reports of any disorder.

A similar number of officers will be available in the days ahead, and this continues to be reviewed on a daily basis.

Operation Kirkin, the Metropolitan Police Service’s response to the recent incidents of disorder, continues to support the arrests of outstanding suspects.

The Metropolitan Police Service has now arrested a total of 1685 people in connection with violence, disorder and looting. Of those arrested, a total of 985 have been charged to date.

They include:

1. A 16-year-old boy of Hounslow, who today appears at Croydon Youth Court accused of the murder of Richard Bowes (22.10.42 - 68 years) in Springbridge Road, Ealing on 8th August; four counts of burglary and one count of violent disorder.
2. A 31-year-old woman of Hounslow, also appears at Croydon Magistrates’ Court today charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the above case.

We continue to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that suspects are processed as quickly as possible.

Yesterday, Detectives from Operation Withern - the Metropolitan Police Services investigation into those involved in the disorder - released a further 46 images of people police would like to speak to in relation to the recent disorder affecting parts of London.

Operation Withern's priority is to bring to justice those who have committed violent and criminal acts. As the detailed and thorough investigation

progresses they will be issuing photographs of people who were in the vicinity of the disorder and who may be able to help officers with their enquiries.

The images released yesterday relate to the looting and violent disorder in Tottenham, Croydon, Hackney, Wandsworth and Haringey on 7th and 8th August.

Local boroughs continue to engage with communities across London, ensuring that

information is passed to us about suspected looters and those involved in violence. Members of the public remain supportive of the ongoing work of the Metropolitan Police Service.

Officers will continue to provide support to businesses and local communities by:

1. Visiting shopping centres to give advice and reassure retailers.
2. Working with Victim Support to assist with shop staff who have been traumatised as a result of looting.
3. Conducting reassurance patrols and joint patrols with youth workers as well as a strong police presence.
4. Giving information about how police and councils are working together, such as council provision of street cleaning and repair services to affected traders and housing estates.
5. Visiting places of worship to provide information and to reassure communities.
6. Attending community stakeholder meetings.

You can view information from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills by visiting their website www.bis.gov.uk, or alternatively by following them on twitter: @bisgovuk

Work is ongoing to promote the Government’s support package, with a claims form available

If your business has suffered loss or damage as a result of the disorder, you may be able to claim compensation.

If you have insurance, check that your policy covers riot damage. If it does, contact your insurer directly to claim.

If your insurance doesn’t cover riot damage, or you don’t have insurance at all, you may be able to claim compensation from your local police authority.

To claim, complete a claim form and send it to your local police authority. You can download this form, and find your local police authority, by

following the links on the DirectGov website: www.direct.gov.uk

You have 42 days to make a claim for compensation. These 42 days are counted from the first 'clear day' after the disorder.

For those of you in the business community who may be concerned about travel

arrangements for your staff, the latest travel advice can be found on the Transport for London website www.tfl.gov.uk

We would once again like to thank the many members of our business community who have been providing information to us about suspected looters and those involved in the violence. We continue to receive exceptionally positive feedback from members of the public.

We would urge you to continue helping us, including giving us any information on the identities of those wanted in connection with the disorder. As a result of the information we have received to date, including CCTV images, we have been able to make a significant number of arrests.

In response to a request made to Commander Rodhouse, the Metropolitan Police Services (MPS) engagement lead for Businesses, the MPS introduced a 24/7 capability to receive, and where feasible, to disseminate information to businesses.

Neighbourhood Link is a community messaging service from the MPS that provides news and information about policing activity or initiatives, crime prevention advice as well as major incidents affecting your area.

You may wish to consider subscribing to the official police messaging system 'Neighbourhood Link'.

To subscribe to this service please visit: www.neighbourhoodlink.met.police.uk

Those who wish to make a comment about the policing of the disorder can do so online at www.met.police.uk/contacts/

You can also follow live updates from the Metropolitan Police via Twitter on www.twitter.com/metpoliceuk

Regular updates will also be published on the MPS website www.met.police.uk

In the event of an emergency, call the police on 999. If you do not require an emergency police response, please call 101.

Unless a business premises is declared a crime scene, it will remain the trader’s decision as to whether they remain open or not.

Helpful ‘Crime Prevention’ advice has already been shared. This can be found on our website

at www.met.police.uk. You may wish to take the following precautionary measures:

1. Where possible retail premises should be suitably staffed with security guards.

2. Ensure staff report any suspicious activity to security and/or police.

3. Consider regular checks of the building and surrounding area.

4. Identify areas that are vulnerable to forced entry.

5. Make sure all service doors are kept locked and secure when not in use

6. Ensure your CCTV system is fully operational.

7. In case of an emergency is there a record of the names of keyholders who can be contacted.

8. Consider removing high value goods from display windows overnight.

9. Consider keeping as little cash as possible on the premises.

10. Ensure that your premises are secure and if fitted your alarm systems are fully operational.

11. In the event of a situation that does not require an emergency police response, call 101.

12. In the event of an emergency, call the emergency number 999.

In addition we would ask all businesses to consider their local environment. Where rubble, builders skips, flammable liquids, gas canisters are visible these should be locked away or removed completely from the area. It would also aid some investigations if lighting in the area is well maintained and working, with

brightness levels set to higher levels than normal.

Fires can be used as a tactic to provide a focal point for protesters seeking to attract extensive media attention. They can also be used to destroy evidence of criminality and distract emergency services, drawing them into confrontational situations.

Fire risk assessment and arson prevention arrangements should be reviewed accordingly. Simple good housekeeping measures such as the removal of any flammable and combustible materials stored adjacent to the premises, for example, stacks of pallets or waste materials, can reduce risk as these items can be easily ignited and any fires started in them can quickly spread to your building.

Ensure that first aid fire fighting equipment and extinguishers are maintained and available to deal with any small fires. Staff should be properly trained to use any equipment provided and instructed to avoid unnecessary risk. If there is any doubt, evacuate all persons from the building immediately.

Reduce the storage of flammable materials and stock near to windows and entrance.

Particular attention should be given to arrangements to secure the safety of staff and customers from fire. Fires started using accelerants such as petrol bombs can spread very quickly, cutting off escape routes.

Accelerants can cause very rapid fire spread and increase the risk that the entire building will

become involved in fire, especially where there is a delay in any fire service response due to the securit y situation.

Past experience suggests that in these situations some people consider remaining on their property to protect it from looting and damage. However, due to the risk of rapid fire spread, this can be extremely hazardous and has led to fatalities in previous events.

Refuge in the upper floors of a building that has been targeted should be avoided as it is easy to become trapped.

For information surrounding fire safety and prevention, as well as the response from the London Fire Brigade to the disorder, businesses are advised to visit the website

In an emergency always call 999, otherwise you can contact us by:

1. Calling 101 to report a crime that has already happened, seek crime prevention advice or make us aware of any policing issues in your local area;
2. Via our website at www.met.police.uk;
3. Via your local police station; or
4. By speaking to your local Safer Neighbourhoods team.

If you find that your Business has been damaged by disorder then you must ensure the police are called at the earliest opportunity. It is vital that you preserve the premises, and don’t touch or move anything if possible so we can consider any forensic opportunities.

If the matter is urgent then you should ring 999 or otherwise the new 101 number. A police officer will attend and discuss with you the best course of action for us to secure evidence to afford us the best chance to catch the criminals and the timescales to get your business back up and running at the earliest opportunity.