Small businesses in North Finchley have said they feel “frightened” as they prepare for rioting by boarding up shop fronts and closing early.

Police remain braced for further unrest as they monitor reports of at least 100 possible gatherings across the UK amid threats against immigration law specialists across the country.

Businesses in areas listed as possible targets said they feel “apprehensive” about the planned disorder this evening (August 7) and are taking precautions, including removing valuables from their shops and closing early.

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In North Finchley, workers have today been seen boarding up shops while restaurants have their shutters down as police patrolled the area.

Riot police in North FinchleyRiot police in North Finchley (Image: PA)

Orange posters bearing the words “refugees welcome” were also seen around the high street.

Torn 'refugees welcome' sign in North FinchleyTorn 'refugees welcome' sign in North Finchley (Image: PA)

A manager at a school uniform shop, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the expected riots were having an impact on her business during its “busiest time of the year”.

“Today, normally we are busy but the streets are quite quiet,” she said.

A computer repair shop is boarded upA computer repair shop is boarded up (Image: PA)

Asked how she felt regarding the current threats, she said: “I feel apprehensive really – a bit frightening, not experienced anything like this before.

“All the businesses in this street – it’s so quiet, there’s hardly anyone walking in the street at the moment.”

Police patrolling the streets in North FinchleyPolice patrolling the streets in North Finchley (Image: PA)

Police, the Home Office and the Government are set to join UK retailers in urgent talks over how to protect their staff and customers as they brace for more rioting across the country.

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) national chairman Martin McTague said small businesses have found themselves “on the front line” of recent public disorder and violence and that many have helped to clean up their streets afterwards.

Shutters down on Pita Time Greek restaurant in North Finchley (Image: PA)

He continued: “Local authorities, insurance companies and politicians of all stripes need to be ready to support their small businesses to rebuild, recover and get back on their feet. As the UK’s grassroots business network, FSB will do what we can to help.

“Local small business success rests on local support, in welcoming environments where people want to be.

"The images of the last few days are the opposite, and it must stop.”

Send any images to nathalie.raffray@newsquest.co.uk