Birmingham practice takes stock of looting

Looters in Birmingham stole children's frames, ophthalmoscopes and retinoscopes from an independent practice during the height of last week's riots.

Thieves struck the 84-year-old Montague Canin practice in the city centre late last Monday. The business was one of many around the country affected by civil unrest.

Optometrist Gurdeep Dhinsa, who owns the practice, said: 'I would say it was more like looting than rioting. They smashed the doors and windows and stole all our stock.'

He estimated the cost of stolen goods at £10,000, in addition to significant damage to the storefront and the practice displays.

Looters broke into a cabinet full of designer frames and helped themselves to brands including Chanel, Ray-Ban, Bulgari, Prada, Hugo Boss, Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choo.