Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King has revealed the supermarket will not claim for any damage during the riots in the UK in August.
Under the provisions of the Riot (Damages) Act retailers are able to claim compensation from the police for damage to property and loss of stock.
Sainsbury's could have submitted claims totalling up to £1m, but the company decided it was wrong to place an additional financial and administrative burden on police resources already under pressure.
In a move to bring policing to the centre of the community, Sainsbury's has introduced a police presence into 34 stores, including a police training unit in Barkingside, East London, providing rent-free accommodation to local constabularies.
Sainsbury's CEO, Justin King, said, "Like many other businesses, we could have claimed against the police under the Riot (Damages) Act. But we think it would be far better for the police to focus on the claims made by small local businesses, and settle them swiftly and in full. It's wrong to divert resources away from front-line policing at a time when our communities need the police to put their energy into rebuilding and restoring confidence in our high streets.
"We've always had a great relationship with the police wherever our stores are situated and we look forward to working with them in the future to support our local communities."
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