Would you protect your business?

I have a question, with these looters out and about in some of the major cities, hypothetically, if they arrived in Oldham... would you stand and try and protect your business? The Sikhs of Southall stood up to protect their temple.

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Permalink Reply by Ash on August 16, 2011 at 9:48

It all depends on natural instincts. If an individual feels their livelihood is on the line then i'm sure they will stand and fight, whereas if somebody does not have much to lose might not be so confrontational. I personally would stand and fight back, and i believe that security companies based locally (including us) should offer some support to the public in such occurrences.

It should all be about the community pulling together and being united.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Crowley on August 16, 2011 at 17:44

As I naturally stand up for myself anyway, I would probably stand and fight, and gather others too, so we do make a stand together. One of the things that security firms could do is offer tips and ideas should this happen locally, or ever in future perhaps. It helps to know how to defend yourself/business/property and makes people think (are we covered if riots destroy property which I heard they don't?). But how do people think when they attack shops and people?

What could we do to diffuse the situation? How can we empathise and develop rapport to bring the tensions down? These are things I have wondered about in other situations, and psychologically this is important.

It's something I have looked at for a proposed health & safety job with a security firm - but more tips and experience first hand would help us all to understand looters and thieves, violence (usually from frustration - seen Anger Management notes on my website) and the underlying issues that allowed them/caused them to go so far.

I think the anti-violence stances are great (although not close enough to home to make it worthwhile i.e. losing business time) - and on this note there is an I love Manchester day on 26th August Owl Business News say this mongh. I thought of a having Peace Picnics and invite people to come along from 'both sides' - business, public, young people, rioters and police; understanding each other and getting to know people helps relationships - something we know from networking for example.....