Manchester seeks to ban convicted rioters from city centre shops

The Business Crime Reduction Partnership in Manchester has unveiled plans to ban all those convicted of looting and public order offences from city centres stores for a two-year period.

The decision was taken by the BCRP in conjunction with Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Police.

The ban will see convicted criminals excluded from more than 400 stores that sign up to the partnership’s civil exclusion scheme.

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

The BCRP also said the names and pictures of individuals would be added to the offender database and shared with members of the scheme.

“These offenders will be written to and informed of the ban,” it said. “Members have the right to refuse entry to their stores.”

Cllr Pat Karney, City centre spokesman 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 the Business Crime Reduction Partnership, said: "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."