Welcome to the Association of Police Authorities  

Welcome for Government's promise to overhaul 'out of date' Riot Damages Act 

Following a long campaign by the Association of Police Authorities, APA Chair Cllr Mark Burns-Williamson has welcomed the Government's promise, given during a debate in Parliment this week, to overhaul the out of date legislation which governs how the public may be compensated from the police fund for damage incurred during riots. 

Under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886, individuals and businesses may claim certain costs of damage and loss incurred during riots from the police fund, held by 43 regional police authorities, if their losses were uninsured. The same Act also allows insurance companies to claim many of their payouts for riot damages back from the police fund.

Following the disturbances across England last august, claims with a total value exceeding £300m were submitted.

APA Chairman Cllr Mark Burns-Williamson commented:

“All those involved in responding to riots last summer worked hard together to ensure that the victims of riots received the help that they deserved as quickly as possible. Yet despite the goodwill and best efforts of all partners, the resolution of claims on the basis of an outdated Act has been complex. Multiple agencies have been involved, most claims required further information to be submitted and, in a context of funding cuts, appropriate checks and balances had to be applied to protect the public purse from ineligible applications or fraud.

In their review of the summer disturbances, the Inspectorate of Policing (HMIC) insisted that the police must spend more on training so that they are better equipped to stop riots from spreading in the future. Whilst committed to settling claims for compensation, police authorities see little sense in diverting a shrinking police fund to meet future claims under an outdated law, when we have an effective insurance industry and the police fund should focus on preparing the police to prevent riot damage from occurring.

After a long campaign, we therefore welcome the Government’s agreement to review the outdated 1886 Riot (Damages) Act. This Act is entirely unfit for purpose and the public should not have to rely on a relic of Victorian riots for redress in the future.” ENDS