William Hill betting shops in Springboig will be the focus of a joint campaign with crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers launched today at the bookmakers’ Springboig shop in Glasgow. [21 September 2010]

The campaign, also supported by Strathclyde Police, is aimed at ensuring the betting shops remain safe for customers and staff, prevent them from being targets for criminals and also to encourage anyone who has any information on crime to report it to Crimestoppers anonymously.

The campaign centres on the bookmaker’s betting shops in Crammond Terrace, Edinburgh Road, Tollcross Road and Westmuir Street and involves distributing leaflets and posters in the surrounding shops and houses.

£10,000 reward available

As well as reminding people how they can contact Crimestoppers if they have information on crime they wish to give anonymously, the public are also reminded that people could qualify for a cash reward of up to £10,000 through the Association of British Bookmakers. This reward scheme makes payments to members of the public for their assistance in achieving a successful prosecution following a robbery of a betting shop(s) or an attack on betting shop staff

Help keep betting shops safe

Kate Jackson for Crimestoppers, said: “Whether a member of hard working staff making a living or a betting shop customer, anyone inside these shops should be able to go about their day without fear of becoming a victim of crime.

“This campaign should reassure people they can pass on information to us without anyone else knowing and do their bit to make their bookies or where they live an even safer place to go. It’s the best tip on offer today.”

Pass on information anonymously

Rob King, William Hill’s Retail Security manager, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for us to get involved with Crimestoppers as our number one priority is to make our shops a safe environment for staff and customers. Reducing crime with the arrest of offenders is one way of doing this and Crimestoppers plays a really important part in making this happen. By working together we can do our bit to ensure that people who have information about criminal activity can pass this on anonymously, whether it is crime happening in a bookmakers or anywhere else in the community.’’

Help reduce robberies

Superintendent Derek Robertson of Strathclyde Police welcomes the launch of today’s initiative. “In conjunction with William Hill and other bookmakers we are working to reduce robberies, protect staff and customers, and arrest those responsible. We work extensively with Scotland Crimestoppers to target crime and the fear of crime within our communities, and this new campaign will build upon our exiting work, allowing communities to contribute directly to reduce robbery in their area."

Above: Left to right is Eddie Thomson, from William Hill, Kate Jackson, from Scotland Crimestoppers, and Superintendent Val Thomson, from Strathclyde Police, at the campaign launch.