A terrified shopkeeper has described the horror of being trapped inside her shop while rioters and looters taunted her through the window as London’s devastating riots continue.

Retailers large and small have been randomly targeted by gangs of looters – and those who have escaped the damage are finding shopping streets deserted during the day as consumers stay home in fear.

In London, hairdresser Onelia Giarratanao related to the BBC television network how she cowered in the back of her salon while looters stood outside taunting her shouting “look, she’s scared”.

Soon after a brick smashed through her front window and the salon was trashed.

“I want protection. Where is the police? They weren’t here to protect us last night.”

Later, a cameraman caught her angrily asking London’s mayor Boris Johnson “where was everyone?” when her store was under siege.

Today, some 16,000 police had been bused in from around the UK to help protect London and maintain order. But at the same time riots were breaking out in other centres, stretching planning and police resources to the limits.

Media footage show national chains like Curry’s electrical and department stores Debenhams and Selfridges being looted in Manchester, the latest city where rioting has broken out.

Hundreds of store windows have been smashed and product looted in London, Birmingham and Manchester, dozens torched. Clouds of smoke arose from at least two of the CBDs as day broke yesterday morning.

Bus and train services to the city centre were suspended, leaving law abiding citizens trapped in the city centre they might become the targets of rioters.

In Clapham a tearful clothing boutique owner Elizabeth Pilgrim described the looters as “feral rats”. Her store had been broken into and looted.

The manager of Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre Tim Whalley ordered extra security be installed on Tuesday night (local time) to prepare for the fourth night of anticipated rioting. Doors were breached on Monday night but the centre appeared to escape the level of damage evident on high street.

New metal doors installed inside the glass entrances had held up and four security guards with dogs had been deployed to protect the centre’s tenants, which include Selfridges.
Wednesday morning Australia time, (about 10pm Tuesday local time) Whalley reported there were still young groups roaming the city centre.

“Last night it was all about looting, tonight they’re just looking at causing damage,” he said.

But the fact the gangs of youths were breaking into smaller groups and moving about in different directions meant police had difficulty controlling or catching them he said.

“The police are chasing at shadows,” he told BBC news.

During the day, however, the streets have remained calm. Too calm.

“Customers are not coming into the city,” Whalley said. They were apparently spooked by what they have seen on TV and assuming shops are closed due to damage. The Bullring has traded throughout.

Westfield says its UK centres continue to trade and a spokesman referred Inside Retail’s enquiries to the British police for further comment.

UPDATED: 11.11am AEST:

Manchester was hit hard Tuesday night, local time, especially the strip of luxury retailers.

The manager of the Bang & Olufsen audio store described the CBD as “a ware zone”. He told the BBC his entire stock had been stolen or damaged beyond repair.

As he spoke he was standing in front of a Diesel store that had also been ransacked, its windows smashed.