Estate agents in riot-hit parts of London are counting the cost as their offices came under ferocious attack at the weekend and, in particular on Monday night.
Last night, agents could do little to to protect their premises in other city centres where trouble flared and properties and cars were torched, including Manchester, Salford, Nottingham, Birmingham and Liverpool,
Among firms whose branches in London have been vandalised are Barnard Marcus, Countrywide, Foxtons, haart, Winkworth and Felicity J Lord. Damage includes smashed windows, doors and interiors, whilst looters have stolen computers. Some offices remain shut and boarded up, including Winkworth's Tottenham office.
As a precaution, Connells closed its offices yesterday in London at Tooting and Thornton Heath amid fears of fresh rioting. Its Barnard Marcus office in Battersea managed to open, albeit late, after rioters broke in on Monday night, and its Ealing branch was also damaged.
Lee Hinds, assistant manager at the Battersea office, told EAT: “Rioters kicked the door through and then ransacked the office. We came in to find everything strewn around.
“We cleaned up the office and fixed the door. We opened later than normal, but we’re here for business, although a number of our late evening appointments have been re-arranged. In terms of damage, we fared better than Courtenay, an independent agent just along the road from us, which has had to be completely boarded up. The nearby branch of Featherstone Leigh was also targeted.”
Hinds said he was appalled by the actions of rioters who ignored the safety of residents in the three flats above his office.
Spicerhaart sent staff home at 4pm yesterday if they were working in any of the affected areas.
A spokesman said: “If the situation changes, and other areas are affected during today or tomorrow, then staff in those branches will also be sent home at 4pm, once again to ensure their complete safety.”
Firms across the country have also told staff to put their own personal safety first and be prepared to shut up shop at a moment’s notice.
Eric Walker, boss of Bushells in London, narrowly escaped injury on Monday night after being caught up in the riots. He said: “The thugs behind this want to be damn glad I am not the Prime Minister – I would let the police and army have free rein and alert the populace that anyone out after dark with their face covered or wearing a hoodie loses the right to make a complaint about mistreatment.
“To have the privilege of human rights, you first need to be human.
“Last night I was nearly hit by a brick and was diverted by police to Catford where it was just starting to kick off.
“There was a very sinister feel and a lot of youths in hoodies milling around. Suddenly, some started running armed with poles and another ran across the road with armfuls of clothes.
“It was the most unnerving thing I have seen in London since I was on Upper Thames Street during the May Day riots in 2000.”
Walker has told his staff to minimise potential losses by taking all valuables home, leaving nothing on display and putting signs on all doors saying ‘No cash held on premises’.
He has also ordered all keys and key books to be locked away or taken home, and asked wherever possible for monitors to be taken off desks and placed out of view.
Peter Rollings, boss of Marsh & Parsons whose branches escaped damage, said that the riots were incredibly bad news for the London markets. He said: “This is a terrible time for ‘brand’ London.”
Ed Mead, of Douglas & Gordon, one of whose offices was threatened by the rioters, said: “Although it’s taken the worst to do it, I have a sneaking feeling that this might prove the catalyst that brings the silent majority out on the streets to both clear up, defend their streets and find that sense of community that’s been lacking. It’s already happening via Twitter. Maybe that’s the Big Society Cameron has been banging on about.”
Grenville Turner, group chief executive of Countrywide, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our employees and our customers is of utmost importance and we have been communicating within our network to ensure that all Countrywide employees remain safe.
“Although three branches have been affected by the disturbances, the majority of our 1,300 estate agency and lettings offices are operating as normal and branch staff in the affected areas are communicating closely with the police to ensure they are aware of any evacuation procedures.
“We will continue to communicate regularly with all divisions across the group and monitor the situation. We have existing internal processes in place to update all of our employees instantly should the trouble continue or escalate.”
People’s homes have also been destroyed in the attacks. In Tottenham alone, around 45 households have been made homeless.
* Any agent whose business has been affected in some way by the riots should speak to their insurers as soon as possible. The British Insurance Brokers’ Association is advising that whilst commercial insurance policies normally cover for damage and financial loss, some policies may also cover businesses which are not damaged but whose trade is affected by the aftermath.
Comments
brodaz n sistaz r 2 dezperet 2 buy sell propatiz vizit eztat agentz in cityz n townz day n nightz ... eztat agentz of da world UNITE !!! no fear n b open 24/7! 2 serve da peoplez brodaz n sistaz peace n respect all
Half of them were workers, the other half young kids who wouldn't even be able to recognise Cameron.
It's all down to lazy ,spineless parents who over indulge their brats whatever their income is. I'm knackered after bringing my two up, it's blumming hard work.
Thank goodness I'm in a sleepy SW village where the only discord we hear is about parking, and that's rare!
Stay safe everyone.
The scum should be made to do national service. teach them about respect, discipline, responsibility etc.
I used to own a High st Agency and I must have spent thousands on broken windows over the years and got burgled once. Now I'm on 2nd floor of a serviced office building ,these troubles and costs are but a distant memory
Thank god for Eltham Agent - just gets better! Please let the scum try tonight.............please, please, please!
It makes my blood curdle to hear these politically correct do-gooders sticking up for the looters and blaming their actions on the state for not giving them the correct discipline and yet they are advocating not discplining them, but understanding them??? Talk about a contradiction.
There is simply no justification, apparrantly they have been ignored by the Govt, along with 90% of the rest of the country.
Despite the fact that in every single interview the kids taking part claim "we're doing it because we can", the so called experts still insist that it is becuase they are a repressed people!!!!
Aaaaarrrghhh!!
Rant over
SGHI you are spot on sir!
Headline
"Estate Agents brick windows of disaffected families in Totenham!!!"
I wonder.
Interestingly and somewhat sadly, some have suggested that there was a racist element. A few idiots from EDL turned up and were 'kettled' by Police as Millwall and Charlton were not best pleased.
There was NO VIOLENCE and actually a good atmosphere. See the video http://bit.ly/peEmtU
Many locals of all ethnic backgrounds joined together safe in the knowledge that the Millwall element gave them a bit more clout. No aggression - just peace of mind.
Best comment from a Charlton Fan to a Millwall fan.
"I effing hate you lot - but fair play - beer?"
Strange only hit the Corporates........
Love Eltham agents post! That’s what we need more of, fight back , reclaim England back from these hordes......
One thing we learned was the fear that disinformation from Twitter etc. causes. I heard a myriad of reports that riots were starting and gangs congregating across our area all of which proved inaccurate. The Police suggested we closed at 4pm which staff understandably read as "Attack likely".
No one should work in fear, so we closed. Hammersmith & Fulham Council kindly offered to board up our Hammersmith Office - for £1500!! We declined as it was more than our insurance excess!
All quiet after all thankfully. We put plans in place to limit losses just in case. After a very hairy experience on Monday, it was a huge relief. Oddly, we tied up some great sales yesterday!
me commentz remowed?
Ray, Every time I post I get attacked by the usual shower of idiots (great example on another topic today from Chris Peacock). When an EA later makes basically exactly the same point a few posts later they are well received. I was half expecting to condemn the riots only to have poop throwing fools to ask what the hell I know and the at the rioters were marvellous chaps. Only to reverse that next time they post. Hence why I qualified my comments.
RantnRave, I think not. A good friend of mine is a Police Officer. A local scumbag put in a bogus complaint against him for assault, and despite there being no evidence, the scumbag being a previous committed self harmer under the mental health act, and the issuer having previously issued 14 complaints against police, all of which were thrown out, despite all of that a whole industry descended upon my mate. His promotion was cancelled, he was suspended, he was taken to court and the CPS despite having no evidence whatsoever pressed for jail time. All because he was a police officer and they will run any case against an office so they can be seen to tough on the police. This is they culture that we have. As a result my mate who was an exemplary and well commended officer took a desk job and is looking outside the force for work does not want to go anywhere near the front line again, why should he, it’s not worth it when the system is setup to be a hard as possible on the law-abiding and give as many free rides and indulgence as is possible to the scumbags.
Oh this particular scumbag by the way got a free flat shortly after, on taxpayers money.
Anyone else think that by standing back at first, the police are making a statement that their budgets shouldn't be cut...?
I liked the police commander who made the point that they turned up at the G20 protests in force and were universally condemned as being 'heavy handed', well now London's scumbags have figured out that the police are too afraid to touch them for fear of getting banged up themselves Londoners might suddenly develop a taste for heavy handed policing.
There was no trouble in Eltham last night - Millwall fans joined with Charlton fans to keep the area safe - great atmosphere despite a failed attempt from a few right wing idiots to turn it into something else. The were singing "No one loots us - we dont care"
@ SGHI - agreed. The rioters have no respect for themselves so have no respect for others. Life has been tough on them and they are tough on life. If you throw a brick at a Police Officer then the Police Officer should be allowed to throw the brick back at them...lets see how brave they are once the get a taste of their own medecine. They are cowards who attack in groups and they attack the weak and defensless. The images of the "good samaritan" stealing from an injured boy are just sick making.
AS - And debtors' prisons
; )
Bring back the school cane & the death penalty!
SGHI - there's a lot of wisdom in that post.
Why is that in so many families both parents are working stupid hours I wonder?
It's 30 to 40 years of creeping liberalism and no appetite for discipline that has created an enormous culture of zero repect and almost a society protecting these little cherubs out of fear of legal action if we don't wrap them in cotton wool.
If I stepped out of line at school by swearing, abusing the teaching staff I got the cane, my parents whould have been informed and I would have got far more than the cane when I got home.
It taught me respect at an age where my values were being formed.
Now kids rule the schools, both parents work stupid hours and the Police can't really touch them...then what do you expect...this is what we end up with!!!
The images on TV are indeed disgusting and this type of behaviour can never be condoned.
FTB Dan makes a good point though in my opinion. Welcome to modern Britain, where moral hazard abounds. If your actions destroy people's livelihoods and you work in the banking sector, expect to get taxpayer bailouts so you can still have obscene bonuses. Those who have been elected to supposedly represent us have been trying to cheat and the fiddle the system for all it's worth and more. Newspaper editors at the top of their career support the hacking of a dead teenager's mobile phone, just so they can sell a few more papers...
Who are the positive role models to those opportunistic yobs? The message seems to be that immoral behaviour pays in this country (many of those young hoodlums however are about to find out that crime only pays if you are already a member of the elite).
Meanwhile, if you are a prudent saver, expect to get a poor return on your savings year after year so those who speculated and over extended themselves can be thrown a never ending lifeline. If you are a young person needing to get a good job to pay some of the highest housing costs in the West,look forward to paying some of the most expensive university fees in the world. If you are a hard working taxpayer who commutes, know that your taxes will be used to keep the non-working in houses nearer to your work place than you can afford to live...
When such a system is allowed to take root, then I'm afraid that we can expect to see what we have seen over the last few nights, sickening though it is.
@FTB Dan
Most could agree in the main with what you say but in my view you spoilt it by not being able to refrain from referring to your 'hobby horse' of so called over priced property. It was not necessary?
FTB Dan, I dont think people on here despise you as you havent bought a place. You have your views and we have ours. Both are convinced we are right. Doesnt mean the other one is wrong though. You seem to be willing to listen to the opinions of others and when it comes to putting your own across, i dont get that feeling that you are parroting what 'some bloke down the pub' said.
I blame the internet culture for what has happened. There will always be anarchists, thieves, vandals and thugs. The main problem is when they are gathered together in great numbers. This is mere human nature at its worst. Just take a step back in time in history and discover what the Norwegian Vikings did to our tiny Island. They pilaged those who had wealth and raped many women. It's a mere case of the have-nots against those who have. You can provide them with benefits - but will they ever be satisfied? Scrap the benefits system and recall the British troops of Afghanistan to protect the British public in our very own streets!
We are their slaves. We get up at 6am every morning and work 10-12 hours a day paying excessive tax so that these scumbags can sleep into noon, collect their benefits and live in a free flat. I know most of you on here despise me with every fibre of your being because I have not yet bought an overpriced property. But think how much more affordable property would be if we did not have to pay the tax for people not to work, to get free housing that working young people cannot afford because they work not claim welfare.
These past few days the ‘Multiculturalism/Welfare Society/PC Agenda/Anti Police toughness’ Chickens have come home to roost, and the people are repulsed by the society we have created.
D i s g u s t i n g !
Last night i got in from another 12 hour day working in my offices i like many of us! All to pay my taxes to help these scumbags claim their benefits and rape OUR benefit system! I happily will pay taxes for the worthy policing and healthcare system, without doubt the best FREE service in the world! Cant put on here my true opinion of the scum destroying our country but guess you will all have an idea!