Compensation available for Merseyside residents and businesses affected by riots

Homeowners and businesses in Southport affected by the riots earlier this month are being encouraged to seek compensation by the region's Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell.

Insurance companies

Anyone caught in up the chaos who suffered losses or damage to their cars, homes, or shops should claim compensation initially from their insurance companies.

However, those who were not insured or who did not have adequate cover in place, may also be entitled to claim for their losses under the Riot Compensation Scheme. This includes the owners of buildings which suffered structural damage and tenants or occupiers which had stock or assets damaged or stolen or vehicles damaged.

Damage or loss

To qualify for compensation through this scheme, victims must be able to demonstrate that the damage or loss they have suffered was as a result of a riot.

People can make a claim and find out the information they need to supply, which includes a crime reference number and evidence of the losses, at www.merseysidepcc.info/RiotCompensationScheme

Claims to the Riot Compensation Scheme must be sent within 43 days after the riot. Those who make an insurance claim first, have 43 days to make their claim to the Scheme, from the date their insurer tells them they are not fully covered.

Shameful scenes

Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Having spent time in some of the areas affected by the shameful scenes of violence and disorder, it was quite clear to see the scale of damage to properties and vehicles.

“I want to ensure everyone affected by these appalling incidents can recover as quickly as possible and critical to that is accessing the financial support to which you are entitled.”

Sefton Council

Since the tragic events of 29th July, Sefton Council has been focusing on supporting the families of Alice DaSilva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe, as well as the other families affected, and those residents and communities impacted on that day.

However, aware of the effect there has been on businesses in Southport, the Council is implementing a recovery fund, to support those business who have been in impacted.  In the first instance, the support will be targeted at those businesses who were forced to close and within the police cordon.  The cordon has still not been fully lifted and those businesses who remain within the cordon will be the council’s highest priority.