A UK family has been left devastated after their business was 'destroyed' by 'hundreds' of Paris rioters. Lily Mackie-Maynard's family-run Yess Electrical has three branches in the French capital, and one located in the city centre was heavily damaged during the recent riots.
Shop smashed during weekend chaos
Located on Quai de Valmy, the shop was caught up in the chaos that took place over the weekend (October 16 to 18). The entire front of the business had been smashed through, with the interior gutted by rioters.
The business's worst fears were confirmed when they arrived at the shop to be met by shattered glass as their workplace was destroyed. Speaking to NeedToKnow, criminologist Lily, who also runs a community safety app called ZAHN, has opened up about her family's sadness.
Impact on staff and community
"What has struck me most is the impact on our team. Things can be repaired, but it has been a difficult time for the people who work there," she said. "They turned up to find the place they work every day damaged, and that's upsetting. Many of them have been shaken by it. It's heartbreaking to see," the London native added.
She added: "One thing I have found really interesting about this situation is how quickly violent behaviour can gain momentum. Almost like a very small group of people start acting violently and then suddenly this is acceptable behaviour."
"Community safety has become a complete afterthought in so many communities across Europe. I think a lot of these people who are trying to have their say in Paris are completely missing the point," she said. "Protesting is something, but rioting is something completely different. This violence isn't just affecting businesses themselves but affecting all the people who work within them."
Recovery efforts and safety app
According to Lily, hundreds of people and those who live nearby will now 'feel unsafe walking around these areas'. She noted that 'this has consequences far beyond one night of violence'.
Following the riots, the business is now in the process of recovering, with staff working tirelessly to get the shop back up and running. "They have worked tirelessly to get the branch back up and running, and we are so grateful to every one of them. The way our team pulled together says everything," she said.
"That's why I believe community safety needs to make a comeback. Seeing what happened made me more determined about what I'm building," Lily said. She continued: "I'm the founder of ZAHN, a community-driven safety app built on the idea that people are safer when they look out for each other. Users can share their live location with trusted friends and family in private groups called Bubbles, check in when they get home safely, and report incidents in real time so others nearby are aware. Our tagline is 'Safety, powered by people', and moments like this show why that matters."
