West Mercia Police is supporting bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants in towns and cities across the force area to help implement the Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI) to make venues safer for customers, staff and local communities.

Licensing SAVI, which is the first ever National Policing Award for safety and security, is a major part of the Forces’ prevention strategy to tackle all types of crime, with a focus on preventing violence against women and girls.

Licensing SAVI encourages venues to test and improve their operational security and management practices using an online self-assessment, which, for the first time, contains all the information that licensed premises need to meet police and council statutory requirements for safety and security.

Upon submitting their assessment, a venue will be awarded a Licensing SAVI star-rating to display the efforts they have taken to improve safety and security.

West Mercia Police commits to improving public safety

As well as providing safer and more secure venues, Licensing SAVI also seeks to reduce the demand on Police Forces and their partners including local councils, NHS Ambulance Services and Accident and Emergency Departments. Licensing SAVI is supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Project Servator – a police anti-terrorism initiative.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “I am committed to building a more secure West Mercia, as set out in my Safer West Mercia Plan.

“Bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants are the lifeblood of our towns and cities, so through the Safer Streets 5 funding I have secured, it’s brilliant to see the licensing initiative being rolled out to ensure people are safe and feel safe.”

Superintendent Edward Hancox, Head of Prevention at West Mercia Police, said: “We’re really pleased to support the Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative and help bars, clubs and restaurants across our towns and city centres do everything they can to make their venue safer. Our licensing officers will work with premises to promote the award, which is already well embedded at venues in Telford.

“We want everyone to feel and be safer on a night out and will continue to work with partners and premises to help us achieve this.”

Achieving safer streets

The initiative was launched following a successful bid for Home Office grant funding to achieve safer streets and increased neighbourhood safety.

Licensing SAVI was developed at the request of the Home Office by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), a not-for-profit police organisation, which works alongside the Police Service throughout the UK to deter and reduce crime.

The self-assessment covers effective management practices and operational security, including issues like responsible drinking, preventing drugs misuse, preventing violent behaviour, safeguarding vulnerable customers, preventing opportunist theft and improving physical security, such as emergency exits, lighting and CCTV systems.

In addition, it offers advice and guidance on preventing spiking incidents and contains a female safety policy for venues to adapt for their own use. Most measures included in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost. Licensing SAVI supports a venue to meet the four Licensing Objectives: Prevention of Public Nuisance, Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Protection of Children from Harm, and Public Safety.

YouGov research

YouGov research commissioned by Police CPI of 5,050 adults aged 18-45 and published in September 2021 found that:
– 79% of adults think it is important to improve safety in nightclubs
– 76% of adults think it is important to improve safety in bars and pubs
– Of these, support was greatest among women with 83% wanting improved safety in nightclubs and 81% in bars and pubs
– 25% of adults would be more likely to visit a bar/pub more if it had a Police Safety Award.

Licensing SAVI Development Officer, Ian Shuttleworth, said: “Following on from some excellent work in Telford & Wrekin where use of Licensing SAVI has received excellent feedback and seen demand reductions in our accredited premises, we are delighted that West Mercia Police have decided to progress use of Licensing SAVI across their force area and recognises the huge potential it has to make people safer in licensed premises. We want to see really busy licensed premises where customers enjoy Safer Socialising and we really look forward to supporting the excellent work of West Mercia Police to ensure their communities are as safe as possible by preventing crime and associated demand.”

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