Betting shop robbed

[simon]

William Hills on Sydenham Road was robbed on Wednesday morning, at around 11.45. Noody hurt, thankfully.
This follows the robbery of Corals on Kirkdale a few months ago while two weeks ago two men went on trial for robbing the Corals on Rosendale Road Dulwich.
There has been a nationwide increase in betting shop robberies since the shops were alllowed extended opening hours from September last year. Bookmakers are finding it hard to staff shops fully all the times shops are open and there was only one person working at Hills on Wedsnesday, and indeed today.

[admin]

Thanks for the info Simon. Did you get this from an employee, the police .. ?

Admin

[simon]

Saw the police attend, take statements and do some forensics. Got the details from the manageress of another bookmaker, who was briefed by the police. Also spoke to a senior manager at Hills on the phone today, about another matter, but was mentioned in passing.

[Eagle]

You say bookmakers cannot fully staff theie outlets .
I imagine probably thousands in Se 26 on job seekers allowance , whty are they being allowed to refuse jobs

[simon]

Bookies staff need to be trained up and be numerate and customer focused. There are staff but since last year the shops have been open from 9.30 in the morning to till 9.45 in the evening, seven days a week and not many staff are willing to work those hours. Mornings are the least profitable periods so they think they can get away with just one person in the shop, which is why the robbers have started targeting the shops in the morning.
But to answer the question; the job requires certain skill levels, has anti social hours, doesn't pay very well and you get abuse from punters. Plus you stand a good chance of having a gun pointed at you. Hence its hard to fill vacancies.