The August riots, which caused £300m of damage to properties, will reoccur if urgent action is not taken, the Riots Communities and Victims panel has warned.
The panel also found that no riot victims have received a payment under the Riot Damages Act, and insurers have not been quick enough paying landlords with damaged buildings.
In its report 5 Days in August, published today, the panel said the response to the riots has been concerning. It compiled the report over 10 weeks, visiting 20 areas to get community feedback.
As well as examining the experience of victims, the paper discussed the root of the riots.
When looking at the aftermath, it said that by March 2012, barely half of the smallest, and only one in 10 of the largest claims under the Riot Damages Act, will have been paid.
In addition, insurance payouts have been slow. This must “prompt the insurance industry to root out the cases where service has been poor, and to ensure that customers who are facing sever trauma are dealt with effectively”, said the report.
Retail footfall in riot-hit areas such as Croydon, Tottenham and Wood Green “remains seriously down”.
The Riots Communities and Victims panel said: “The government should start a fund to support struggling high streets, including using any potential under-spend from the various support schemes to provide extra help.”
It added: “The panel conclude that riots of this nature will happen again, therefore immediate action is needed if this is to be prevented.”
joanna.bourke@estatesgazette.com
