Riots bring practice security into focus

With many retailers in optics still feeling the bite of the recession, the violent civil unrest that shook the country last week could not have come at a more inopportune time. Many practices suffered damage and some were forced to close on the advice of police.

Although optical practices don't stand out as primary targets for robbery and vandalism, the destruction was indiscriminate. Many practices have an element of desirability in terms of the designer brand frames and sunglasses that are easy for thieves to sell on. As such, they can be quickly identified as targets.

Downturn in trade is another issue facing practices. For days, many of the streets in the towns involved were empty due to fear among the general public and many stores were forced to close on police advice. A Specsavers store in one of the worst-affected areas, Croydon, reported that in the days after the riots, trade was approximately 50 per cent of what it should have been.