Councils helping to heal communities

LG Group media release 19 August 2011

Financial support and tax breaks for local shopkeepers, fundraising appeals for people left homeless, campaigns to reclaim the streets, trading standards investigations, printing CCTV images of looters, street parties and even volunteer speed dating – just some of ways councils are helping heal riot-torn communities.

With the debris from last week's violence cleared from the streets and the many burned out buildings made safe, local authorities are now leading the way toward long-term recovery in neighbourhoods across the country.

Some have set aside thousands of pounds to support local business in getting back on their feet and others have been inundated with donations of cash and household goods to help those made homeless. Advice centres have been set up and community campaigns have also been launched, along with a range of other initiatives to bring neighbourhoods together.

Trading standards officers have also been visiting pawnbrokers, checking for valuable goods and urging owners to gather traceable ID records off sellers.

Sir Merrick Cockell, Chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA), said:

"As the outrage felt across the nation subsides and life begins to return to normal on the high streets and estates attacked by rioters, councils and their communities are now focused on addressing the longer-term problems.

"It's vital that the victims of last week's violence, be they shopkeepers who lost everything they spent years working for or homeowners whose treasured possessions went up in smoke, are not forgotten.

"Thankfully, the swell of community spirit which swept the nation in the guise of 'broom armies' last week is still strong. Councils are being inundated with people wanting to help out in any way they can, not just in helping riot victims directly, but also getting involved in longer-term projects which aim to strengthen neighbourhood bonds.

"Part of the healing process is also about justice. Councils have been working closely with police to share information and CCTV footage and many rioters have been arrested and charged directly as a result of this. Pawnbrokers must also act responsibly, we cannot let looters sell stolen goods back to our local shops."

Case studies

Haringey Council set up a Community Assistance Centre in Tottenham which has so far helped 200 people affected by the riots, with staff on hand to discuss issues like re-housing, insurance and legal advice for businesses. The council's Tottenham Fund appeal has been met with overwhelming generosity from individuals and businesses across the country, so far bringing in £20,000 and dozens of donations of useful everyday items.

Residents in Lewisham have called for a show of community support and have been contacting the mayor and council with wide ranging offers and suggestions, from helping with clean-up operations, organising clothes collections for those made homeless and supporting local market traders and businesses. The council is encouraging people to shop local, donate clothes and non-electrical items to charity shops and is offering a one-off £250,000 fund for local businesses. It has also published online a long list of ways people can get involved with neighbourhood projects to boost community spirit.

Ealing Council has set aside a £250,000 fund to help areas affected by last week's riots. Small independent traders, who suffered damage from vandals and looters, are already being given £1,200 to help them pay for things like new glazing and repairs. The council has also offered a £20,000 interest-free repayable grant to the worst affected small traders, who are likely to have to remain closed for up to six months. The money is intended to help them in the short-term while they wait for insurance or compensation to be received. A local inquiry, bringing various groups together, is being set up to review what happened. Staff in its CCTV control room, working with the police, helped ensure 22 arrests on the night of the riots and many more during the following days.

Enfield Council has launched a 'Respect for Enfield' campaign designed to reclaim the borough's streets from the minority who rioted. It's calling on residents to go about their daily business and show the world that the borough will not be intimidated by violence. Staff have been holding talks with community and business leaders to hear any concerns they may have and make sure they get the support and assistance they need. It has also set up a dedicated phone line so residents can anonymously provide information to bring rioters to justice and its trading standards officers have been visiting pawnbrokers checking for valuable goods and urging owners to gather traceable ID records off sellers.

Salford City Council is working with Marketing Manchester to coordinate an 'I love Salford' campaign to galvanize civic pride. Residents and local businesses will be asked to back the highly visual campaign, displaying posters in shop windows, wearing badges and engaging with social media such as Facebook and Twitter. The giant message of 'I love Salford' has already been displayed in the shop windows of some of the businesses affected by the riots in Salford Shopping City.

As part of its 'I Love MCR' campaign, which has thousands of Facebook supporters, Manchester City Council is urging shoppers to head to the city centre and traders to put on sales. It is also arranging free on-street parking at several sites over the next three weekends to encourage visitors. Businesses in the northern quarter are in talks to hold a huge street party in coming weeks.

Merton Council is offering local businesses affected by the riots an assessment to see if they qualify for either reduced business rates or exempt status to help them get back on their feet. It is also advising them on Government funding support and insurance issues.

Residents in Hackney held a street party in Clarence Road, the area worst affected during its riots. It was organised by a local church and supported by the Hackney Council and local businesses.

Newham Council published a special edition of its fortnightly publication, the 'Newham Magi', which contained a number of images of looters. Police have subsequently identified people from many of the photos published, leading to several arrests. Newham Police are providing a further 23 images to the council for the next edition of its magazine. The council is also offering rewards through 'Crimestoppers'.

Youth workers from Wirral Council's youth hubs, youth centres and outreach teams, have been talking to young people about the consequences of disorder. Working with police officers, they have been out in all weathers, travelling on trains, talking to teenagers, and helping to provide a reassuring presence in Birkenhead. Wirral Youth and Play Service also provided extra activities designed to deter young people from getting involved.

Lambeth Council held a ‘Volunteering speed dating' event where people wanting to help affected communities in Brixton and Streatham could meet, discuss ideas and learn about existing schemes and projects. It was promoted through Twitter and hundreds of people turned up to Brixton Town Hall, with more than 100 registering their details with the council offering to volunteer in future.

In Gloucester, a team of firefighters and community engagement staff from the city and county councils have visited local shops, pubs and homes reassuring people, carrying out safety checks and giving general advice on things like rubbish bin storage, building security and fire protection. They also visited local mosques, churches, community groups, housing associations and broadcast messages through radio transmitters to 700 homes in the area giving out domestic safety advice.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue crews in the Toxteth area have visited more than 300 homes and 70 businesses to offer safety advice, removed 175 wheelie bins from potential danger and taken away eight tipper trucks full of combustible materials.

ends

Author: LG Group Media Office
Contact: LG Group Media Office, Telephone: 02 07664 3333

Share:

12 October 2011