David Cameron U-turn angers victim of riots

Proposals to cut planning restrictions on shops wanting to install security shutters in the wake of last year's riots have been rejected – a year after the Prime Minister announced plans to cut red tape on a visit to Wolverhampton.

Ministers were reportedly considering scrapping the requirement for retailers to seek planning permission for shutters outside their shop windows, following last summer's disorder which swept the country.

But a consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government concluded that it "would be a disproportionate over-reaction to the riots" for shops to be allowed to introduce shutters without proper planning approval.

David Cameron sat with businesses owners in Wolverhampton on August 10 last year – the day after the riots in the city – and outlined plans to help shops struggling to win planning permission for shutters.

Among traders at the meeting was Sham Sharma, of Sunitek computer shop, Broad Street, which suffered £50,000 damage.

Today, he said: "Mr Cameron has gone back on what he promised."