The union’s campaign features a poster showing a woman with bright yellow crime-scene tape on her face. It bears the legend: SP on the man who spat at her—£500 fine.
Mr Park, who represents Mid Scotland and Fife, said, “I am pleased to be supporting Community’s campaign to challenge violence against workers in betting shops. “These incidents have an impact on staff, their families and the whole community. “It is unacceptable that people have to work in fear of abuse just for doing their job. “I hope that all bookmakers will display these posters in their premises.”
Malcolm Chisholm, MSP, said “I hope all betting shop owners will take every possible measure to protect their employees and that the public will pay heed to the clear message from this poster that all such violence and abuse is utterly unacceptable.”
I am pleased to support the campaign opposing violence against betting shop workers. I urge all local betting shops to do likewise and to show their support by displaying the campaign poster on their premises.”
Ken MacIntosh MSP said:
"Betting is to the majority of people a source of pleasure and harmless fun. However in recent years their has been an increase in assaults and abuse towards betting shop staff. This is not acceptable and I welcome the campaign launched by the Community Union to highlight this worrying problem.”
Ken and Community- the union representing betting shop staff - launched a campaign to combat assault and the abuse of betting shop staff in Scotland. The launch of the safety poster campaign took place at the Morrison’s betting shop in Barrhead, kicking off a series of events which will be held throughout Scotland to get the message across.
David Whitton MSP said:
“Violence against anyone at work is unacceptable. I'm told there was a recent incident of a man armed with a carpet knife threatening betting shop staff in Kirkintilloch. No one should have to put up with that kind of behaviour while at work, which is why I'm delighted to support the Community campaign”.
The launch took place in Dumfries last Friday, 6th March, and members' motions supporting the campaign have been lodged in both the Scottish and UK Parliaments.
The campaign has the support and backing of the Scottish TUC, Retailers Against Crime, Scottish Government Safer Scotland Campaign and the Health & Safety Executive.
Michael McMahon MSP said:
"Whether the anger directed at betting shop staff is the result of frustration, excessive alcohol consumption or any other unreasonable attitude, it is not acceptable.
"I congratulate Community for speaking out on this issue and I am happy to join with them in raising awareness of this increasing problem."
Andy Kerr MSP said:
“Violence against workers is something which I have fought against for many years.
Cathie Craigie MSP, Heather Meldrum (Community Regional Director) and John Paul McHugh (Community Scottish Organiser) launched the campaign in the Cumbernauld & Kilsyth Constituency.
The launch took place in the Market Square, Kilsyth on the 29th February.
The campaign has the support and backing of the Scottish TUC, Retailers Against Crime, the Scottish Government Safer Scotland Campaign and the Health & Safety Executive.
“I am pleased to be supporting Community’s campaign to challenge violence against workers in betting shops. These incidents have an impact on staff, their families and the whole community.
“It is unacceptable that people have to work in fear of abuse just for doing their job. I hope that all bookmakers will display these posters in their premises so that we can all work to protect betting shop employees from any kind of abuse".
At the campaign launch which took place at the Morrisons bookmakers, Harthill and at the Ladbrokes in Airdrie on 17 March Karen Whitefield, MSP for Airdrie and Shotts said:
"I hope all betting shop chains in Scotland will take every possible measure to protect their employees and that the public will pay heed to the clear message from this poster that all such violence and abuse should not and will not be tolerated."
Employers need to protect their workforce, especially those in the front line, facing the public, who take in the cash which contributes to the profits that the bookmakers enjoy. More cctv should be installed, which can only deter those likely to abuse staff. In the cases of any robbery cctv evidence can lead to identification and prosecution of any individuals.
Staff in stores tend to absorb verbal abuse daily, on occasion accepting it as part of their job. Often when staff are physically assaulted they fear reprisals if reported. Physical and verbal abuse in any form is not acceptable and this campaign can only assist in the prevention, detection and towards eradication of this crime.
Dr Richard Simpson MSP for Central Scotland and Fife recently launched the poster in Stirling.
During the course of the weekend Community Conference Delegates took the opportunity to further raise betting shop safety issues with Councillors, MSP's, MP's and MEP's.
A question was raised by Community EC member Pat Donnelly during the Justice debate - with a very supportive response and message from Pauline McNeil MSP and other members of the panel.
Community launched the Poster at the Scottish Parliament with the support of many, many MSP's.