South West Londoners are doing all they can to protect themselves and their businesses to prevent a repeat of August’s riots.
By Oliver Porritt, Michael Symons, Maria Vallahis, Emily Coen and Hermione Wright
South West Londoners are doing all they can to protect themselves and their businesses to prevent a repeat of August’s riots.
Security firms are reporting a surge in sales as traders seek to reassure consumers their high streets are safe.
The riots caused thousands of pounds of damage but Londoners are refusing to dwell on their misfortune and are fighting back.
William Peters, Manager of Lambeth’s Tara Security, said: “There’s definitely more awareness since the riots.
“People have become more worried about their own properties and I would put our increase in sales down to that.”
A spokesman from Securifix Security Systems in East Sheen said business was extremely busy during the riots, but shop owners were looking for a quick fix.
“The installation of metal shutters for shops takes two to three weeks and customers weren’t willing to wait.
“Big businesses were largely prepared, but it was local businesses that needed protection immediately.”
Police continue to rely on CCTV footage to indentify the culprits of the recent civil disorder. They have more than 2,000 mug shots of the alleged looters.
However, 20-year-old Wimbledon student, Jessica Bramble, does not believe CCTV is an effective deterrent.
She said: “The police have lots of images of rioters but they still haven’t caught many of them.”
Wimbledon Police Sergeant Stuart Wiltshire says people are becoming more complacent.
Danny Woodham, branch manager, Wimbledon Morrisons, said: “You can’t predict these things. They haven’t upped their CCTV and we don’t intend to. You just take it as it is.”
Studies have confirmed that CCTV cameras do not deter most crimes.
Two thirds of people in the UK do not have faith in the Police to protect their homes which suggests an overwhelming vote of no confidence.
