MP calls for betting shop staff protection
Betting shop staff must be better protected from abusive punters, according to a Wigan MP.
Ian McCartney, the MP for Makerfield, has joined trade union Community to campaign for better protection for bookies' staff.
Now he has met the Home Office minister with responsibility for the industry, Vernon Coaker, in a bid to win backing for the campaign.
With over a dozen betting shops in the constituency, Mr McCartney has called for single-person shifts to be ended, enhanced protection and training to deal with anti-social behaviour, and the widespread introduction of shop signs warning against verbal and physical assaults on staff.
Community has welcomed Mr McCartney's part in the campaign.
Since last September, bookmakers have been permitted to open until 10pm.
However, a recent survey showed the introduction of new opening hours and betting terminals has raised fears among betting shop employees about the threat facing them from anti-social behaviour and physical attacks.
Mr McCartney said: "My primary concern is to make sure betting shop workers are properly protected.
"It is unacceptable that people in bookmakers should be the subject of verbal and physical abuse simply for doing their job."
Mr McCartney said: "It is not acceptable that, in some betting shops, staff are carrying money to and from the bank, by themselves.
"I will be meeting again with the minister to discuss how we can tackle these problems."
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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