Rioters face second wave of punishments

Looters who took part in last week’s riots in Manchester city centre are being warned that their punishments won’t end with criminal sentences.

Manchester City Council is looking at all cases of Manchester residents who are appearing before criminal courts charged with offences carried out during the disturbances on Tuesday August 9.

The City Council is gathering information about all those convicted as a result of last week's events - regardless of whether they are council tenants - and will consider a wide range of powers to clamp down on those involved.

Powers will be considered on a case by case basis. This includes issuing those responsible with antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) or CRASBOs - ASBOs issued in court at the time of the conviction. Some of those people arrested have long histories of criminal or anti-social behaviour making their neighbours' lives a misery, and conditions can be attached to these orders to help put an end to this behaviour.

Breaking these conditions is a criminal offence that could result in a prison sentence.

Tenants of council properties who are found to be involved may also be evicted from their homes, particularly if they are found to have been using the property to store looted goods.

Although the process of taking action may take longer than in the criminal courts, the City Council is gathering evidence about the damage these people have caused to their local communities and will take action.

The City Council can also issue tenancy injunctions to anyone aged over 18 who lives in a council property and is found to have been involved in the disturbances. These injunctions can ban tenants from entering areas such as the city centre, or from threatening violence, and anyone who breaks them can be arrested.

All of these powers are in addition to the ban by city centre businesses on entering shops.

Residents who brought their children to police after finding out they were involved in the disturbances can be offered support with parenting, while these offers can also be made as part of ASBOs.

Councillor Paul Andrews, Manchester City Council's executive member for neighbourhood services, said: "The violence and criminality seen in Manchester city centre last week was some of the worst that the city has ever experienced, and the police and crown prosecution service have done an excellent job of putting hundreds of people involved through the courts.

"Now, we're warning them that this is not the end. We have a wide range of powers to use against people who make life hell for Manchester residents and businesses and we'll be putting these to use for those responsible.

"We're now looking closely at all Manchester cases and those involved can expect to hear from us soon."