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Maximise Safety over Christmas and New Year

We’re seeing continued growth of Licensing SAVI across the country, now having venues in over 80 different town and cities.

As we’ve mentioned previously, recent incidents at licensed premises both locally and internationally remind us why reviewing safety and security practices is so important and how using Licensing SAVI can ensure premises are best prepared for a variety of scenarios that could arise.

The following advice is provided to licensed premises to maximise safety during the Christmas and New Year period:

  • Review Policies

    Review venue policies and risk assessments to ensure they are current, with a focus upon vulnerability and safety.  Free templates, including women’s safety and the recently added incident and refusal logs, along with numerous other resources are available within Licensing SAVI.

    Use the policies as the basis for staff briefings and training, encouraging discussion as staff understanding what to look for and the role they play is key to success.

  • Check Premises Licence

    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 resources

    Review your available resources – if you need the additional support of Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered Door Supervisors or any other staff, then plan early as we know recent challenges exist

  • Uniform

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

  • Drinking vessels

    Consider using 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.

  • Drinking promotions

    Run sensible drinking promotions such as a Designated Driver Scheme or Club Soda scheme and make free water available.

  • Be on the look out

    Remind staff about 21/25 age-identification schemes to manage underage drinkers and that it is an offence to serve a drunk person (or on behalf of drunk person)

    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; also for the venue to provide signage warning not to leave drinks unattended

  • Be prepared

    Display or ensure staff have available the phone numbers of reputable taxi companies and / or signpost nearby transport hubs and consider your dispersal plans when everyone leaves at the same time.

  • Test alarms

    Check smoke alarms are working and keep decorations clear of exits to allow for escape in emergency and ensure staff know their role in emergency procedures.

  • Terrorist threats

    The terrorist threat is ‘substantial’ which means an attack is ‘likely’. Crowded places are particularly at risk.

    Managers and staff will need to be vigilant for anything out of the ordinary or that doesn’t feel right no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.

    Call your local police on 101 or in an emergency 999. For further information on action to counter terrorism visit: find out what to look out for and how to keep yourself and others safe or | Protect UKs.

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Top tips to help you keep safe

Before your evening out

  1. Plan your evening in advance - Who are you travelling with? There is safety in numbers, so consider travelling with friends. What type of transport are you using to get to the venue? If driving, consider parking in a well-lit car park with a well-lit route to and from the venue - Check out The Safer Parking Scheme | Park Mark
  2. Do you know how you are getting home? Do you know what time your last train or bus leaves? Make these plans before you leave and share your plans with others.
  3. Is your mobile phone fully charged? Do you have the phone numbers of all persons in your group stored in your phone, in-case you become separated from the rest of the group?
  4. Consider carrying an ‘In case of Emergency’ (I.C.E.) card, with contact details of friends or family.
  5. Look for a venue that is displaying the Licencing SAVI award for safety. 

During the evening

  1. Whilst there is safety in numbers, always be aware of your surroundings
  2. Do not leave your drink unattended or become distracted at the bar, and if you start to feel unwell seek assistance from venue staff. The safety initiative ‘Ask for Angela’ is being rolled out in bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across the country. People who feel unsafe, vulnerable, or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela.’ This code-phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them into a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police.
  3. Try to avoid drinking too much alcohol, particularly when in unfamiliar surroundings as you could make risky decisions and become less aware of potential danger.
  4. Never leave your drink unattended and keep an eye on your friends' drinks.
  5. Consider buying your own drink, watch it being poured and be careful about accepting a drink from someone you don't know.
  6. Think about drinking bottled drinks and avoiding shared drinks such as punch bowls or cocktail jugs.
  7. Regularly drink water in between alcohol.
  8. Do not provide personal details, especially your address, to someone you've just met.
  9. Always be assertive and remain vigilant. Look purposeful - it will reduce any perceived vulnerability. Be confident with any unwanted approaches by saying ‘Don’t touch me', 'No', 'Go away.’ If they persist, make sure you raise your voice and command them to ‘back away’ or shout ‘I said NO.’
  10. Licensing SAVI Supports the Government ‘ENOUGH’ campaign. Whatever form it takes, abuse should never be justified as ‘an act of love’ or dismissed as ‘harmless fun.’ Any behaviour that embarrasses, demeans, frightens, or distresses women and girls is abuse. And it has to stop. More details can be found HERE.
  11. Remember Drugs and Alcohol can severely impair decision making. Decide before you go out to only have a certain number of drinks and stick to it, tell your friends your decision. Health guidelines can be found around this for more info click HERE.

At the end of the evening

  1. When out with friends look out for each other and consider travelling back together, or “checking in” when you each arrive home safely. 
  2. Always call or book a reputable Taxi or Private Hire Vehicle or use a Taxi or Private Hire office and never accept a lift from drivers on the street. Only Licensed Taxis can be hailed on the street so don’t ever hail a Private Hire Vehicle without booking it in advance. Never accept a lift from a stranger.
  3. When a Taxi arrives, always ask who they are waiting for before telling them your name. Never tell them your name first. A lot of Taxi firms will provide a female driver if you ask for one or will give you a password so that you know it is the correct Taxi.
  4. For more information on staying safe and secure visit the Suzy Lamplugh website HERE.
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