One year on: Riot Damages Act update

Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) has dealt with 92 per cent of Riot Damages Act claims following the disorder in Manchester and Salford 12 months ago.

Latest figures show that of the 410 claims submitted to the police authority pursuant to the Riot Damages Act, only 31 are outstanding.

Of these, ten are valued at over £50,000 and are being dealt with by loss adjusters, in conjunction with GMPA. This process reflects insurance industry standards when dealing with high value and / or complex claims. For the remaining claims the authority is awaiting supporting information from claimants so they can be progressed.

To date, a total of £1.25m has been offered to claimants, with more than £800,000 already paid out.

Ian Hargreaves, Independent member and Chairman of the GMPA Value for Money Committee, said: “The police authority has always taken a positive and proactive approach to dealing with claims made under the Riot Damages Act. That we only have 31 outstanding claims is testament to the commitment of police authority staff to make sure that the impact on our communities is minimal.

“As we approach the one year anniversary of the disorder, the events of last summer will be at the forefront of people’s minds. Now is a time to reflect on the strength of community spirit we saw in the days and weeks following the disorder. I’d also like to once again praise Greater Manchester Police for the robust way they brought peace to our streets and identified those responsible to bring them to justice.”

GMPA also worked closely with local authorities to identify those most in need of support and to make sure claimants didn’t receive duplicate compensation payments.

Riot Damages Act figures as of 24 July 2012:

Total number of claims: 410

The total number of wholly uninsured loss claims is 101. Of these, 6 are ongoing and 25 have been rejected.
The total number of insured* loss claims is 309. Of these, 25 are ongoing and 187 have been rejected.
Total amount offered: £1.25m.
Total amount paid: £867,692 (this includes £442,023 for uninsured losses and £425,669 for insured losses).
Of the 31 ongoing claims, ten are valued at over £50,000 and are being dealt with by loss adjusters in conjunction with GMPA.

Of the 6 ongoing uninsured claims:

o Two are included in the high value claims being dealt with by loss adjusters

o Two are large companies with a high policy excess

o Two are smaller businesses who are not insured or were underinsured

*Most claims include an element of uninsured loss due to the application of a policy excess and/or the policy not meeting all losses.