A Flying Squad initiative to tackle armed robberies at London bookmakers is among the winners of a national crime fighting award….
The Safe Bet Alliance – a joint initiative between the MPS Flying Squad and London’s bookmakers – came third in the Home Office’s Tilley awards, which celebrate crime fighting projects.
The Alliance was established in response to the steady increase in armed robberies of bookmakers across London since 2006, peaking at 403 armed robberies in 2009/10.
Instituted in March 2009, the initiative developed a series of security standards. Over the next 12 months companies worked to implement the measures. Employees were trained, and a range of prevention devices such as cameras and remote locking devices were installed.
In 2010/11 all major bookmakers across London were compliant with the Safe Bet Alliance standards. Offences were reduced by 46 percent in a 12-month period (a reduction of more than 215 individual offences). Detection rates had increased to 55 percent sending a clear message to offenders that they are more likely to be caught than not.
The Flying Squad’s Detective Superintendent John O’Leary, said: "The Safe Bet Alliance is an industry-led initiative to ensure maximum security standards across the bookmaking industry which is a concept we continue to support. These standards have contributed significantly to a reduction in offences supported by the operational successes of the Flying Squad.
"The Safe Bet Alliance nomination and third place following a public vote for the Tilley awards is a pleasing reflection of the hard work of all concerned."
