Croydon riots two years on: Meet the victims still struggling to rebuild lives

House of Reeves

House of Reeves was set on fire during the riots

The House of Reeves furniture store was destroyed in a callous act of arson during the riots.

The family-run store, which had withstood two world wars, was reduced to rubble after Gordon Thompson, a 33-year-old father-of-two from Waddon Road, set it alight.

The business, which is more than 150 years old, has continued trading from its remaining store.

Trevor Reeves, who co-owns the store, said: “Two years on we are still here doing trade out of our one store. “It is never as good as it could be, but we are holding our own.”

Mr Reeves revealed work had begun on the site of the former store, to transform it into an open space for the community.

He said: “The pictures around the hoarding of the family have all come down.

“There will be a railing and fence around it and a green space with trees to open up the whole area.”

Mr Reeves praised the fact there were now lots of regeneration plans in Croydon, but said some building owners were holding back.

He said: “There are lots of plans for Croydon, Hammerson and Westfield, Portas Pilot, the Old Town team, it is great for the area.

“But the building opposite our old premises has not been redeveloped and it is disappointing. “Everyone else is doing their bit, the council is being proactive, but there is still this building that has not been touched, it is disgraceful.”

To mark the second anniversary of the riots, Mr Reeves said the store had put a display in Centrale.

Charlene Munro

Charlene Munro and her son Cam'ron lsot their home on London Road

Charlene Munro fled her flat in London Road with her young son Cam’ron, then four, after seeing rioters charging down the street below and looting from nearby music shop Rockbottom.

Two years on, Miss Munro, who was re-housed by Croydon Council, is still struggling financially after she received just £2,450 from a £6,000 claim under the Riot Damages Act.

She said: “I am in debt because the money they paid out is nowhere near enough. I used every penny to buy everything.

“My washing machine is on the way out, I do not know what I will do when it breaks. “Why am I still suffering for something that was not my fault?”

Kanagaratnam Paramanathan

Kanagaratnam Paramanathan lost over 90 per cent of his stock

Kanagaratnam Paramanathan owns JK Gold and Fashion house in London Road, but lost more than 90 per cent of his jewellery and clothes stock during the riots.

Mr Paramanathan, who lives in Purley, said two years on he faces bankruptcy after his insurers retracted his insurance payout.

He said: “My insurer paid me some money, but it found a loophole in the policy and wants the payout for £315,000 back.

“I am still struggling getting any money under the Riot Damages Act. “Stephen Greenhalgh [deputy mayor for policing and crime] said he would raise my concerns and find out what is happening, but I am not hopeful and will have to file for bankruptcy.”

Suzan Rozario

Suzan Rozario has received no compensation

Suzan Rozario was living in London Road with her husband and three children.

The couple who have since had a fourth child, have not received any compensation after missing the deadline for claims under the Riot Damages Act.

She said: “Nothing has changed, we have not received any compensation.

“After the riots the building was still standing, but it was unsafe so we could not go in to assess the damage, which meant we missed the claims deadline.”

They were rehoused and now live in South Norwood, but Mrs Rozario said it was difficult to start over on one person’s income.”

Bushra Ahmed

Bushra Ahmed says victims want closure from the riots

Bushra Ahmed owned one of the buildings destroyed by fire in London Road.

Although she received money from insurers, she, and others, are still awaiting a Riot Damages Act payout.

She said: “I want for the council to be creative and find something for these people. Not a loan, money they do not have to repay. Victims just want closure from the riots.”