RAIDS on betting shops across Glasgow have trebled in just two years.

RAIDS on betting shops across Glasgow have trebled in just two years.

The statistics have been made public by officials at the Community trade union.

Figures show there were 45 robberies at bookmakers throughout Scotland and 4760 workers were verbally or physically abused.

Some have been stabbed, beaten and threatened with knives and guns and a number of betting shops have been fire-bombed.

In Glasgow, the number of robberies and assaults with intent to rob rose from 11 to 32 between 2005-2007.

In the most recent city robbery two masked gunmen stole more than £1000 from Tote in Dumbarton Road, Yoker.

Staff nationwide are worried about their safety. They claim bosses will not install CCTV cameras or tough security screens because it would frighten off customers.

One worker said: "I have been in the industry 22 years and it is getting worse. Betting shops are a soft target."

However, two major chains are now taking action.

William Hill has fitted screens at its branches throughout Scotland, while Coral says its shops will soon be fitted with CCTV cameras.