MIRROR INVESTIGATES: MAY DAY!

Police warn 200 shops and businesses targeted by Monopoly board rioters

MAY DAY wreckers are targeting more than 200 businesses on streets which feature in Monopoly.

Police will this week warn the shops and offices of the riot threat by mobs who have hijacked the board game for an internet campaign.

Officers fear the gangs who caused millions of pounds of damage in London last May 1 will strike again this year.

The anarchists' chilling threats are outlined on the website maydaymonopoly.net.

Police say the board game was chosen because it exudes capitalist principles.

A senior officer said: "We have seen this site and it's definitely a matter of real concern. We'll be spending the next few days visiting the businesses named on the site and warning them of the possible risks.

"We will give advice on how they can protect their property."

Targets include supermarkets, banks, fast-food chains, coffee shops, car showrooms and sportswear stores.

Also listed are Government and council offices, including Downing Street and the Inland Revenue, JobCentres, and the Foreign Office.

Famous institutions and landmarks under threat include the Cenotaph, Royal Opera House, the US Embassy and the London Palladium.

Some of the entries carry abusive explanations. The Savoy is described as "where rich and famous scum stay".

The BBC is "propaganda to the world".

A famous hairdressing salon is "where the rich and stupid pay loads for a cut and blow".

And the Armed Forces Careers Office is labelled "a thousand ways to kill".

One car showroom manager whose business is under threat said: "I'll be begging the police to be out here in force.

"I don't think these idiots understand that their protests have a real effect on the lives of ordinary people who work their socks off to make a living."

Hasbro, the maker of the board game, is considering legal action against the website.

A spokesman said: "Our lawyers are looking at it.

"Obviously we want to make it absolutely clear this has nothing to do with us."

Last year, May Day rioters attacked branches of McDonald's and Starbucks.

A statue of Sir Winston Churchill outside Parliament was defaced.

Scotland Yard fear a hard core of up to 100 anarchists plan to bring havoc to the streets.

Senior officers have vowed to operate "zero tolerance" policing towards rioters.