Criminals responsible for shop theft and vandalism need to feel the full force of the law to reduce the likelihood of retailers coming under attack in future. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has praised the efforts of the government and police after law and order was largely restored to the streets of London last night.

The BRC has had conversations with Home Secretary Theresa May and Business Secretary Vince Cable during the past 24 hours and has received assurances that those responsible for the wave of destruction will be punished appropriately.

This has not always happened after previous protests targeting retailers, the consortium says.

BRC director general, Stephen Robertson, says: “For too long, shop crime has been wrongly regarded as a low priority. There is a myth that stealing from stores is victimless and that police resources are better used elsewhere. The sad events of the past week should have brought home to everyone the huge economic and human costs which are caused by crime against the retail sector.

“The police and the courts need to place greater emphasis on catching and punishing those responsible for all shop crime. It’s shocking that disenchanted young people have shown so little hesitation in launching attacks on stores in their own communities.

“In retail we provide a million jobs to the under 25s, and offer thousands of young people their first job every year. Destroying shops and high streets is counter-productive in every sense.”

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