Croydon 8/8: “Go to Job Centre” devastated traders told

Saddening and maddening – as the dust settles on the scandalous behaviour of the rioters on Monday night, Croydon Council (motto: “Proud to Serve”) has managed to step in with its customary aplomb for offending and insulting people, on this occasion some of the victims of the looting and arson.

At the emergency meeting of the Croydon Business Investment District on Wednesday, it was discovered that the stock answer given to devastated traders who were seeking help from their council was: “Go to the Job Centre”.

Such were the complaints from those at the meeting that Jon Rouse, the Council’s chief executive, had to step in to reassure the business people that this advice would be discontinued immediately.

Some might feel it reasonable to ask how it ever came to be offered in the first place, instead of more practical, and less callous, help from Rouse’s organisation?