Ian McCartney MP

Ian McCartney MP is spearheading a campaign to increase standards of safety and security in betting shops following an alarming increase in attacks on staff.

The Makerfield MP described the attacks on staff as a “very real issue,” after figures released by police forces in England showed a dramatic increase in betting shop robberies.

Police in the North West of England report a worrying 20% increase in armed robberies with the Metropolitan Police showing a 40% increase between 2005-2007.

Ian addressed a parliamentary gathering of MPs to raise awareness and to give his backing to the Community Trade Union whose members have been subject to ferocious attacks by armed robbers.

Ian said, “You very rarely hear about a post office being held up in a robbery anymore, or a supermarket because employers working with the workforce have taken action to limit the opportunity afforded to criminals."

“The one vulnerable area still left in the retail market is the betting shop and every criminal in Britian who wants to use violence and intimidation to rob knows he can get away with it in the betting industry and that is why I along with the Police and Community are demanding action to protect workers.”

“It appears that for many within the industry abuse, threats and violent robbery are part of the job description – that is simply not good enough so I am calling for a concerted effort from the industry to tackle this issue head on and adopt a robust stance to ensure betting shop workers are afforded better protection.”

Ian is asking betting shop workers in the borough who have been subject to attacks or have been angered by a lack of response by employers towards their health and safety concerns to contact his office on 01942 824029.