Looters To Be Banned From City Centre Shops

ANYONE convicted of looting and public order offences following last week's disturbances will be banned from city centre stores for two years.

"We want to send out a strong message that Manchester’s business community is standing together and those that disrespect our city are not welcome and will not be allowed to enjoy it.”

CityCo’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership, in conjunction with Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police, will use its powers to exclude convicted criminals from more than 400 stores that sign up to the civil exclusion scheme. 

These include all the shops in The Manchester Arndale and Triangle shopping centre as well as Debenhams, Selfridges, Marks and Spencer, Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser.

The names and pictures of individuals will be added to the offender database and shared with members of the scheme. Offenders will be written to and informed of the ban. 

Councillor Pat Karney, City centre spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: “The scenes we witnessed on Tuesday night were shocking and we cannot tolerate this kind of behaviour in Manchester. The civil exclusion scheme is already doing a fantastic job and it makes sense to add these disgraceful individuals, who show complete disregard for others people’s property, to the list.” 

Rob Dyson, head of CityCo’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership added: “The public disorder last week has had a tremendous impact on our retailers and has damaged the local economy. We want to send out a strong message that Manchester’s business community is standing together and those that disrespect our city are not welcome and will not be allowed to enjoy it.”

For more information on the Business Crime Reduction Partnership visit www.mbcrp.org.uk