A LAW which failed victims of the August 2011 riots is to be reformed.
Dozens of people whose homes or business in Croydon were burned down or ransacked were left facing financial ruin because of the outdated Riot (Damages) Act (RDA). The legislation, established more than 125 years ago, enables victims of a riot to claim compensation from the police even if they are uninsured.
Submitting a claim proved a time consuming and convoluted process and, after the disorder, an independent panel called for the law to be amended.
Nearly two years on, there are still at least 40 unresolved cases in the borough, more than any other affected area.
Policing Minister Damian Green announced the law would be revised to make it "fit for purpose".
An independent review will assess the definition of a riot, who should be liable and what levels of compensation are suitable.
While the Government claims only 2 per cent of uninsured claims have not been settled, in March the Advertiser highlighted eight cases where families had been left on the brink of ruin.
