‘Gang’ hit by William Hill ban

Published: 19 August, 2010
by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS

FOUR “prominent gang members” have been hit with unique banning orders preventing them from every branch of one of Britain’s biggest bookmakers.

It comes after they were accused of creating havoc at William Hill in Queen’s Crescent, Gospel Oak.

It means they can now be arrested for simply setting foot inside any of the company’s chain of shops.

Police said the men – aged between 18 and 20 – were given the Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions after complaints of intimidation and abuse from staff and customers.

A Camden police spokeswoman said: “This innovative piece of work stemmed from concern amongst members of staff and customers, who felt intimidated by the presence of boisterous groups of young people and subsequent incidents of criminal damage and theft.

“Four individuals have now been served with a banning order, which prevents them from entering any William Hill licensed betting office in the United Kingdom.” 

The orders follow work by Gospel Oak Safer Neigbourhoods Team, CID, Camden Council and William Hill. Investigators from the bookmakers helped identify “prominent individuals” behind a series of incidents.

Crime chiefs will now approach other businesses to see if they wish to take similar action against individuals.

Superintendent Raj Kohli, in charge of Camden’s Safer Neighbourhoods teams, said: “If issuing banning orders proves successful, other businesses experiencing similar issues will be encouraged to implement this approach. 

“From Camden Police and Camden Council the message is simple and clear – we will work with businesses to help police out crime and disorder.” 

Labour councillor Abdul Hai, Camden’s community safety chief, said: “The action we have taken against these individuals means people who visit and work in William Hill can now go about their lives peacefully.”

Ward councillor Theo Blackwell described the move as a “positive step” that would be welcomed by the community, but he warned of the “underlying problems” in Queen’s Crescent. 

“I think people will welcome it but it’s a small step, it’s not the ultimate solution,” he said. “If you look at how anti-social behaviour was driven out of other areas of Camden, it took more than a business by business solution.”

Cllr Blackwell added that he would be meeting police today (Thursday) to talk “generally” about issues in the area, including a discussion on four recent stabbings around Prince of Wales Road. 

The stretch of pavement outside the Queen’s Crescent bookmakers has long been associated with anti-social behaviour, leading exasperated youth workers to call for action from police. 

In January a youth worker was shot in the leg and a 16-year-old boy was grazed by a ricocheting bullet after a fight broke out near the bookmaker’s premises.

Mick Farrant, chairman of the Queen’s Crescent community centre, said: “We do notice people congregating outside. We welcome any action being taken by the police to stop anti-social behaviour in the area around the betting shop and inside.”

Bill South, director of security at William Hill, said: “William Hill sees its shops as an important part of local communities and are therefore more than happy to work with local police SNTs to deal effectively with those individuals responsible for unacceptable behaviour.”