BOOKIES BASHED BY THE CROOKS; Number of raids soars: EXCLUSIVE.

Byline: Chris Musson

BETTING shop staff are facing a rising tide of violence as robberies soar.

Police figures obtained by the Record show raids in the west of Scotland have almost tripled in the past five years.

There were 23 robberies in the year 2004-05 in Strathclyde - but 61 last year, more than one a week.

Union chiefs fear staff are being put at risk by a lack of security.

Heather Meldrum, Scottish director of the independent Community union, said: "The evidence is clear - abuse against staff in betting shops is on the increase.

Unsafe "You have to question whether the relaxed, coffee shop appearance of new betting shops is a contributing factor."

Another union spokesman added: "The Community union feels that staff are, at times, left alone without proper security supervision within the premises, which makes many of their members feel unsafe, particularly when open during the evenings."

The union also believe the rises have been repeated across Scotland, with Strathclyde worst hit. Earlier this month, it emerged half of all robberies at betting shops in the first part of this year involved knives, sparking pleas for automatic jail sentences for blade carriers.

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said yesterday: "We monitor all increases in crime and react accordingly.

"Why crime fluctuates is often based on opinion and can range from the current economic climate to opportunist criminals."

Bill South, head of security for chain William Hill, said: "We treat our staff's welfare and safety as a number one priority."

And a spokesman for Coral added: "All Coral shops are subject to constant risk assessment, in order to establish the safest possible working environment. "

NO BETTER Robberies on bookies in west of Scotland Year Incidents Numbersolved 2004/05 23 11 2005/06 13 5 2006/07 44 28 2007/08 36 17 2008/09 61 41