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Keeping Patrons Safe this Halloween

Keeping Patrons Safe this Halloween

Keeping Patrons Safe this Halloween

Keeping Patrons Safe this Halloween

Halloween is a great opportunity for pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants to enjoy fun time with customers who may want to celebrate in ghoulish costumes, masks and wacky make-up.

Whilst licensees and managers enjoy this timely and welcome boost to their income on the last weekend of October, they should be ready to brief their staff on how best to keep customers safe.

The Licensing SAVI top tips for patron safety at Halloween are:

  • Check Premises Licence conditions to ensure plans are compliant, especially when considering using space differently such as outside areas which may not have been used before; and submit Temporary Event Notices where necessary as early as possible

  • Review your policies and risk assessments to ensure they are fit for purpose

  • Record changes to operating practices in risk assessments and audit trails

  • Ensure staff are wearing branded uniforms/badges so customers know who to ask for assistance

  • Consider how you will facilitate queues outside your venue or large numbers arriving together – review your entry/exit plans

  • Remind staff of 21/25 age-identification schemes, especially as Halloween costumes and make-up could make under-age teenagers look older

  • Use polycarbonate or similar drinking vessels, decant any bottles to reduce risk of injury or harm, and ask staff to clear rubbish quickly and remove to secure storage

  • Run sensible drinking promotions and make free water available

  • Encourage staff to be on the look-out for drink spiking, monitor unattended drinks and provide immediate assistance to customers feeling dizzy, disorientated or showing signs of intoxication; consider signage warning not to leave drinks unattended (free resources available here)

  • Brief staff on the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign to assist customers who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened by discreetly asking staff for ‘Angela’– a code-word that says a customer needs help, such as by re-uniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police

  • Remind staff it is an offence to serve a drunk person (or on behalf of a drunk person)

  • Display numbers of reputable taxi companies and signpost customers via well-lit routes to nearby transport hubs. Consider your dispersal plans when everyone leaves at the same time

  • When decorating the venue for Halloween use battery-operated candles or glow sticks for example in carved pumpkins – do not use open flames

  • Check smoke alarms are working and keep decorations clear of exits to allow for escape in emergency

  • Check staff know emergency procedures.

By following the above guidance, your staff and customers can enjoy a safer socialising experience this Halloween.

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Safety Benchmark and Training Resource

Safety Benchmark and Training Resource

Safety Benchmark and Training Resource

Police Crime Prevention Initiatives is a police organisation that works closely with the Home Office and alongside the Police Service to deter and reduce crime.

In the first of five articles, Mark Morgan, explains our Licensing Security & Vulnerability Initiative and how it can make licensed premises safer year on year and support staff in their training and development…

Licensing Security & Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI) is the most comprehensive, single source of information for licensed premises to obtain all the guidance, advice and standards they need to comply with the Licensing Act 2003 and meet the requirements of the ‘Responsible Authorities’, including Police and Council Licensing Teams.

Licensing SAVI is ground-breaking because, for the first time ever, licensees in England and Wales have consistent information to promote the four Licensing Objectives: Prevention of Public Nuisance, Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Protection of Children from Harm, and Public Safety.

Developed at the request of the Home Office by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), Licensing SAVI is backed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Project Servator, a police-led vigilance scheme to deter terrorist attacks at crowded places.

Conveniently available as an online self-assessment, Licensing SAVI brings together definitive information on effective management practices and operational security including safety measures, many of which can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost and some which licensed premises may not have considered before. 

Its aim is to deliver authoritative ‘best practice’ for bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, hotels, theatres and sporting clubs to make them safer and more secure year on year for the benefit of managers, staff, customers and local communities. Importantly, completion of the self-assessment can lead to Accreditation and an Award with a Star-Rating for display to show a venue’s commitment to safety and security.

Appropriate for start-up businesses to established operators, and single independent premises to large groups of venues, its advice and guidance embraces safety and security inside premises and in garden and other outdoor seating areas during operating hours to security when closed.

Licensing SAVI covers critical issues like sensible drinking, drugs misuse, violent behaviour and safeguarding vulnerable customers through to opportunist theft and physical venue security.

For example, how do licensees manage unplanned large queues; deal with prohibited items like drugs or weapons; and eject badly behaving customers – and by what route?

What are the venue’s management practices on pre-employment checks, age verification, staff branded uniforms and ID badges, customer searches, and in the most extreme circumstances – calling emergency services? Do staff know the fire emergency procedures and what needs to be done if a crime is committed?

How adequate is the venue’s security equipment, such as CCTV and lighting? What about having raised areas behind bars, and strategically placed mirrors, to help staff see what’s going on? Are tills within easy reach of customers? Are there notices to assist customers to get home, such as the display of taxi contact details or bus and train times? What about dispersal plans when everyone leaves at the same time?

Licensing SAVI is well-placed – and timely – to be used as part of a Business Recovery Plan following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and for the training of staff who are returning after being furloughed and the recruitment of new staff to replace those who have left.

It’s also an ideal template for on-going personal development as Licensing SAVI will be updated regularly to keep pace with new legislation, changing patterns of criminal behaviour and hospitality industry best practices.

In addition, with its Star-Rating Award system, Licensing SAVI encourages licensees to make their premises safer and more secure every year to display an even higher Star-Rating to make customers aware of the venue’s ongoing priority to keep staff and customers safe.

You can undertake the Licensing SAVI self-assessment by clicking the button below:

 

Read more …Safety Benchmark and Training Resource

Safety Practices Outdoors

Safety Practices Outdoors

Safety Practices Outdoors

Safety Practices Outdoors

Safety Practices Outdoors

As licensed premises reopen and emerge from COVID-19 restrictions, managers and staff, who may have been furloughed or newly recruited staff, will be looking to make the most of their venue’s gardens and other outdoor seating areas during the summer months.

However, what is clear already is that there is huge pent-up demand from customers keen to reunite in a convivial, social atmosphere with family and friends they haven’t seen for many months.

As well as meeting COVID-19 cleaning, hygiene and social distancing requirements, how can licensees manage the welcome boom in outdoor business in a safe and secure way?

From a policing perspective, operational security and management practices in place inside venues need to be replicated or adapted to outside spaces too – perhaps in areas that haven’t been used before.

Licensees will need to consider how they manage outdoor noise, nuisance and boisterous behaviour, possibly in close proximity to local communities, which have become accustomed to peace and quiet since lockdown. Potential flashpoints could be longer than expected queues and more crowded smoking areas.

In addition, consideration should be given to the prompt collection outdoors of used glassware, bottles and cutlery, and the fixing of outdoor furniture to prevent these items being used to harm. Then there is the potential outdoor concealment of drugs and whether existing CCTV coverage and lighting is suitable and appropriate.

Customer ejection and removal procedures from outside spaces, which may be next to a busy road, need to be planned carefully. Arrangements around the availability of taxis and signposting to transport hubs can be key to ensuring customers get home safely.

Vulnerable person safeguarding, particularly women, is high on the Government agenda following the much-publicised death of Sarah Everard in March and the continued risk of terrorist attacks. Since 4 February, 2021 the threat level has been at ‘substantial’ – meaning an attack is ‘likely’. It’s important that hospitality staff are aware of the different types of vulnerability and the simple measures they can take to reduce risk.

Developed at the request of the Home Office and supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Licensing SAVI is an online self-assessment which provides for the first time, consistent guidance and standards that licensed premises in England and Wales need to meet the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and promote the four Licensing Objectives: Prevention of Public Nuisance, Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Protection of Children from Harm, and Public Safety. Many of the safety and security measures in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.

Licensing SAVI includes a non-assessed guidance section on counter terrorism and a COVID-19 risk assessment template for licensees to use.

Licensees that complete the self-assessment will receive a Star-Rating and can apply for Licensing SAVI Accreditation and an Award, which will show their Star-Rating and can be displayed at their venue to show the efforts undertaken to enhance safety.

You can undertake the Licensing SAVI self-assessment by clicking the button below:

Read more …Safety Practices Outdoors

Safety Practices Indoors

Safety Practices Indoors

Safety Practices Indoors

Safety Practices Indoors

Safety Practices Indoors

This summer is likely to see bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels being more popular than ever following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and families and friends choosing to holiday in the UK.

This is likely to put a huge demand on licensed venues, which may have to recruit new staff to bolster those returning after long periods on furlough.

As managers and staff seek to meet the needs of customers whilst continuing to implement social distancing measures, it could become a critical test of a venue’s operational security and management practices.

Police and Council Licensing Teams will be expecting managers to brief their staff, either for the first time, or as a refresh, on some of the most important considerations to help keep customers safe.

On customer arrival, staff will need to be aware how to deal with unplanned large queues and be updated on the latest requirements about social distancing, the wearing of masks and QR code check-in.

They will also need to know when the venue has reached capacity, such as by regular counting or by using devices like a mechanical clicker or an electronic scanning system.

For example, how is a fire alarm raised, which fire exits should be used and where is the assembly point? Will staff know who is the qualified first-aider and the location and use of a defibrillator?

As closing time nears, is there a freephone telephone for customers to call for a taxi or notices near the exit displaying the times of local buses or trains? What is the dispersal plan for the peaceful departure of customers who leave at the same time? Then there is the return of keys, locks, pass codes, security fobs into safe storage – and a final search of the premises to complement the search carried out at the start of the day.

Developed at the request of the Home Office and supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Licensing SAVI is an online self-assessment which provides for the first time, consistent guidance and standards that licensed premises in England and Wales need to meet the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and promote the four Licensing Objectives: Prevention of Public Nuisance, Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Protection of Children from Harm, and Public Safety. Many of the safety and security measures in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.

Licensees that complete the self-assessment will receive a Star-Rating and can apply for Licensing SAVI Accreditation and an Award, which will show their Star-Rating and can be displayed at their venue to show the efforts undertaken to enhance safety.

Staff should be ready to clear away empty glasses and bottles, be on the look-out for drink spiking and be prepared to deal with heavy drinking or drug use. They will need to know what to do when prohibited items like drugs or weapons are found and seized and when customers need to be ejected – and by what pre-planned route.

In the most extreme cases, staff need to know what to do when emergency services are required in case someone is in need of urgent medical attention, a crime is committed and the scene needs to be preserved, or a fire breaks out on the premises.

You can undertake the Licensing SAVI self-assessment by clicking the button below:

Read more …Safety Practices Indoors

Physical Security

Physical Security Guide

Physical Security Guide

Physical Security

Physical security in a venue

First impressions set a standard for our expectations. Customers arriving at licensed premises, such as a bar, pub, club or restaurant are likely to notice how the queue is being managed. Is social distancing being embraced and controlled? Are reception staff or dedicated security staff operating attentively and in a friendly manner?

Positive interaction will go a long way towards setting the scene for what’s inside.

For larger, busier venues, there may be identification scanning, or particularly when considering COVID-19, a recording system as you enter. In some instances, a search may be carried out – giving customers confidence that safety measures are in place – and discouraging crime.

Once inside, customers will gain reassurance from staff wearing branded uniforms or displaying an ID badge – or both. Being clearly identified will give staff an air of authority as well as being part of a team that takes pride in being associated with the venue.

It will help customers feel that they are going to be well looked after. Most importantly, clearly identifiable staff provide a valuable point of contact for customers who may feel vulnerable and need assistance.

Bar staff will have a better field of vision operating from raised floor areas behind bars or counters further assisted with strategically positioned, toughened or laminated mirrors to increase the likelihood of enabling early intervention to avoid incidents and provide immediate support to vulnerable customers. Tills should be sited to prevent customers reaching over to access them.

Clean surfaces in bars and regular inspections of toilets will help deter drugs activities. Preventative measures on mezzanine floors will help prevent falls. Good quality safes should be fixed to a wall or floor. Intruder and hold-up alarm systems should be tested regularly.

Most customers would regard CCTV as providing additional security and reassurance whilst making life more difficult for both opportunistic and organised criminals. It is our recommendation that CCTV systems record good quality images in all lighting on a 24/7 basis, as offences can happen when venues are both open and closed. Images should be stored for at least 28 days which will assist managers or security staff to spot incidents, or if required, to support police investigate reported crime.

Cameras should be directed at key locations, such as areas like a cash handing office, high value alcohol store, computer room and cloakroom as well as gaming and vending machines. Bars, dance floors and toilet entrances should also be covered. CCTV should be positioned to avoid interference from sound, laser and strobe lighting/smoke machines.

Larger vertical drinking venues with high volumes of customers may want to provide a dedicated room for emergencies, such as to provide assistance to someone who is vulnerable or in need of urgent medical attention. Smaller venues need to have a contingency plan for such incidents.

There are many other physical security considerations, such as robust doors and windows and grilles and shutters. For advice in these specialist areas, visit another Police CPI initiative called Secured by Design.

Developed at the request of the Home Office and supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Licensing SAVI is an online self-assessment which provides for the first time, consistent guidance, standards and advice that licensed premises in England and Wales need to meet the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and promote the four Licensing Objectives: Prevention of Public Nuisance, Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Protection of Children from Harm, and Public Safety. Many of the safety and security measures in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.

Licensees that complete the self-assessment will receive a Star-Rating and can apply for Licensing SAVI Accreditation and an Award, which will show their Star-Rating and can be displayed at their venue to show the efforts undertaken to enhance safety.

You can undertake the Licensing SAVI self-assessment by clicking the button below:

Read more …Physical Security Guide