Last week, the Netherlands was shaken by riots, arson, and looting in various city centers. Windows were shattered, cars were set on fire, and shops were looted. If you own a store or business in a city center, you may be concerned. While you cannot prevent the riots, you can take necessary measures to minimize the damage. In this article, we provide you with 25 valuable tips, some of which can be easily implemented today.

Although the violence accompanying these riots is very unusual for the Netherlands, it is something we have seen in other European countries and the United States. Exactly how things escalated remains to be determined, and investigations and the pursuit of perpetrators are still ongoing.

There is a significant difference between ordinary protesters and rioters. The attacks on the police, vandalism, and looting that took place last week have little to do with protesting and are mostly the work of rioters. Some of these are followers, swept along and incited by others. However, there are also rioters who deliberately plan to riot and destroy property—whether for the thrill, due to a failed upbringing, or because they are angry and want to make a point. Some young people even see it as a game, where other players decide what happens next, and they can earn points. These youths live-stream their involvement in the riots and looting on social media. Researchers refer to this phenomenon as ‘gamification.’

Looters, unlike rioters, are driven by self-interest and financial gain. Some rioters also loot, but there is also a group of organized looters who work systematically and in groups. They determine in advance which stores will yield the most and share information about these target stores with others. In the United States, we see examples of organized looters who block streets with their cars, allowing them to carry out their operations more calmly. Sometimes they even guard a store or building against other looters while their gang members raid the safe inside. We also see these types of gangs using large-scale (peaceful) protests as a cover to strike, using social media to mislead the police or flood emergency lines with (false) reports of looting in areas where they are not active.

Rioters, looters, arsonists, or thieves… Whatever we call them, they can cause significant damage, which is a nightmare for anyone affected.

Remove valuables and make it harder for them

You cannot prevent riots or looting, but you can take measures to significantly reduce the damage if rioters or looters are active in your area. You can protect your store from rioters and remove the “loot expectation” (attractive goods) to deter looters. In addition, you can take steps to make things more difficult for both rioters and looters. Some of these are the same measures you may already have taken against vandalism or burglary.

From the many possible measures, here are our top 25:

Measures to remove the loot and make things harder

  1. Empty your store or premises (including the display window), so looters believe there is nothing to steal. It is important that from the outside, it is immediately clear that the store or building is empty. If you own a store, also communicate to your customers that no products are available in-store during the closure and direct them to your webshop. Do this, for example, on the shop window, with flyers in the display, or on social media. Depending on the situation, consider leaving the lights on at night to make it clear that the store is empty.
  2. Store valuable items safely in a secure compartment, a safe, or at an external location.
  3. Remove anything that could be used as a projectile, both inside and outside. Think of trash cans, planters, bike racks, patio furniture, and advertising signs. Also, remove flammable substances and small fire extinguishers (the latter only if the store is not in use).
  4. Board up display windows and glass with wooden panels as protection against rioters. Coordinate with other stores/businesses on your street to do the same. Note, however, that this method is limited in effectiveness when dealing with organized looters. Wooden panels block the view, and well-prepared looters can often break through them. Secure the wooden panels with screws that are difficult to remove. Some looters come prepared with power drills…
  5. Leave (unsecured) interior doors unlocked, as this prevents further damage
  6. Monitor social media to see if your city, street, or premises are being mentioned as a target. Social media posts can also help identify potential perpetrators.
  7. Instruct staff not to comment on social media posts about looting at your premises.

More drastic, structural precautionary measures

  1. Store valuable goods and equipment in certified burglary-resistant storage spaces and safes. Looters often lack the knowledge or skills to break into such areas or safes.
  2. Install metal security shutters or reinforced steel doors to delay access to the premises.
  3. Use riot-proof security glazing for your store windows. Make sure to choose glazing with proven resistance to looters. Vandal-proof glass or security films are insufficient to withstand looting violence.
  4. Create a barrier between the display area and the store using walls or shutters, so looters cannot immediately enter the store if a window is broken.
  5. In some cases, you can create a temporary barrier using barrels filled with water, which serve both as a difficult-to-move barrier and as an automatic fire extinguisher.
  6. Consider installing an automatic fire suppression system to minimize the damage caused by arson.

Planning and arrangements you can make in advance

  1. Create a crisis team within your store chain or street that is easily reachable by shop managers and local business owners.
  2. Form a small team to provide the first salvage efforts after any damage, so that the premises are secured and damage is minimized. For example:
    • Cleaners, security guards, repairers of glass and shutters and carpenters who can repair doors and hinges and locks.
    • Employees (of security affairs) who can secure camera images and who can make an inventory of the damage and report it to the insurer.
  3. Maintain a (local) contact list with phone numbers for your neighborhood police officer, surrounding businesses/stores, and any nearby residents..
  4. Work with your Private Alarm Center (PAC) to create a modified protocol for responding to alarms during riots and looting.
  5. Have daily damage assessments conducted at a set time if unrest continues for an extended period.

Other recommendations

  1. Install visible security cameras. These can help collect evidence of riots and looting and aid in the investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators.
  2. Anti-theft tags that damage or destroy products when removed are somewhat effective. If you sell clothing, ensure it is not easy to take large quantities at once.
  3. Mark valuable business assets to make reselling them more difficult.
  4. Store backups of data and customer records off-site.
  5. Remove all personnel files from the premises, as they often contain sensitive and private information.
  6. Never have staff in the store if looting is occurring or imminent. Stay home and safe.
  7. Consider increasing your insurance coverage during a threat, rather than investing in extra security measures.

Finally, measures are always tailored

If your store or premises are at risk of being targeted by looters, carefully consider which measures to take. The suggestions above are general, and some may not be suitable or may be too costly for you. Preemptively assess which group of perpetrators you are dealing with and the attractiveness of your store. Then decide which measures are appropriate. Some simple measures cost little or nothing, while more substantial ones may require a larger investment. For the latter, expert advice is essential. Our experts are happy to help you. Contact Jan Schumer today at jan.schumer@mactwin.nl or by phone (026) 479 22 27.