McColls Martins Newsagents Fined For Being Robbed! - 14th Nov 2014 5:31pm
Seems crazy but I suppose if they don't have cctv then they become a better target. What more can they do have security guards on the doors, provide staff with baseball bats under the counter.
http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/1..._after_series_of_armed_robberies/?ref=mr
Quote
A NATIONAL newsagents has been convicted for failing to protect its employees following a series of armed robberies across its Wirral stores.
Martin McColls Ltd - now known as McColl's Retail Group PLC - was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay costs of £78,000 for six breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The breaches relate to the business’s failure to protect their employees from the risks posed by workplace violence.(is that actually workplace violence?)
Today’s ruling at Liverpool Crown Court follows a lengthy investigation by officers of Wirral Council’s Environmental Health team into six violent robberies at four branches of McColl’s and Martin’s stores across Wirral between April 2011 and January 2012.
During the raids – which saw stores including those in Rock Ferry, Prenton and Birkenhead targeted – one member of staff was held up at knifepoint, another was threatened with crowbars and a third was hit over the head as he delivered takings to another store.
Speaking after sentencing, cabinet member for environment and sustainability Cllr Bernie Mooney said: “In undertaking its regulatory functions the council seeks to work closely with businesses to secure compliance with legislation that safeguards health and safety.
“Where appropriate, we will not hesitate to take formal action through the courts where businesses fail to comply with their duties to protect their employees.
“This case sends a clear message that it is vital for employers to seriously assess the risk of workplace violence and put reasonable control measures in place to protect both their customers and employees.”
. .A McColl’s spokesman said: “McColl’s accepts the findings of the court for the historic incidents which took place between 2008 and 2012.
“The well-being and safety of our staff is of the upmost importance to us and prior to these incidents we had committed to review and update our health and safety policies.
“We have already addressed specific issues resulting from the case and have addressed the relevant policy across our nationwide network of stores.”
Martin McColls Ltd - now known as McColl's Retail Group PLC - was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay costs of £78,000 for six breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The breaches relate to the business’s failure to protect their employees from the risks posed by workplace violence.(is that actually workplace violence?)
Today’s ruling at Liverpool Crown Court follows a lengthy investigation by officers of Wirral Council’s Environmental Health team into six violent robberies at four branches of McColl’s and Martin’s stores across Wirral between April 2011 and January 2012.
During the raids – which saw stores including those in Rock Ferry, Prenton and Birkenhead targeted – one member of staff was held up at knifepoint, another was threatened with crowbars and a third was hit over the head as he delivered takings to another store.
Speaking after sentencing, cabinet member for environment and sustainability Cllr Bernie Mooney said: “In undertaking its regulatory functions the council seeks to work closely with businesses to secure compliance with legislation that safeguards health and safety.
“Where appropriate, we will not hesitate to take formal action through the courts where businesses fail to comply with their duties to protect their employees.
“This case sends a clear message that it is vital for employers to seriously assess the risk of workplace violence and put reasonable control measures in place to protect both their customers and employees.”
. .A McColl’s spokesman said: “McColl’s accepts the findings of the court for the historic incidents which took place between 2008 and 2012.
“The well-being and safety of our staff is of the upmost importance to us and prior to these incidents we had committed to review and update our health and safety policies.
“We have already addressed specific issues resulting from the case and have addressed the relevant policy across our nationwide network of stores.”
http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/1...