A failure to implement measures to protect staff from work-related violence has cost well-known bookmakers William Hill £10,000 in fines.
Sefton Council brought health and safety charges against the betting firm after a female employee was attacked and suffered whiplash injuries during an armed robbery.

The incident occurred at the company’s Netherton premises in Bootle, Merseyside. The employee and a female co-worker were in the process of locking up the premises for the night. As she stepped outside, a man, who had been crouching down near the door, leapt up and dragged her to the ground. The attacker stayed by the door while another man entered the premises and got behind the security screen, where the other staff member was standing by the counter. He produced what is believed to be a knife and demanded money. The employee by the counter was not physically harmed and both men left the premises with a quantity of cash.

Several months prior to the robbery, health and safety officers from Sefton Council undertook a routine inspection to assess the bookies’ management of work-related violence risks to staff. The council identified a number of measures to reduce the risks and the company followed up by carrying out a risk assessment on 13 October 2009. The assessment highlighted that staff were at high risk of assault and abuse, including anti-social behaviour. It recommended that consideration be given to installing extra security lighting on the exterior of the building and an external CCTV camera to view the front door. Installation of a gate was also proposed to prevent access to an alley at the side of the premises, which, if left unsecured, offered a good place for would-be attackers to hide from view.

Council officers returned to the shop later in October 2009, along with Merseyside Police and William Hill senior managers, to consider the anti-violence measures further. Following this meeting, the company installed a gate, restricting access to the alleyway, but took no action to improve security lighting and CCTV facilities.
Sefton Council subsequently prosecuted William Hill, who pleaded guilty and were sentenced at Bootle Magistrates’ Court. The company was fined £6,000 for the MHSWR offence and £4,000 for a RIDDOR breach, plus full costs of £2882.

In mitigation, the firm said it had a previously unblemished safety record and had made further improvements to the premises in the wake of the incident. It also cooperated fully with the investigation.

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