Ensuring your venue is compliant with site safety and operational standards is crucial for the smooth and safer running of your business. We outline some key considerations to enhance safety, security, and efficiency.

Signage

Clear, legible signage is essential to guide patrons around your premises safely and effectively. In areas where lighting levels need to be reduced for operational purposes, illuminated signage is highly recommended. Key areas include:

• Entrances and exits
• Medical room/safe space
• Toilets
• Cloakroom
• Smoking area

Good signage minimises confusion and helps reduce congestion, as patrons can locate facilities without wandering around looking for friends or specific areas. Confused or lost patrons can exacerbate crowding, making it harder to manage flow effectively.

Staff Training

Regular training, briefings, and updates for staff are vital to ensure they fully understand and comply with your venue’s operating policies. Maintain an audit trail to document their training and understanding, which is useful for internal assessments and external inspections.

Policies for Keys and Access

Develop robust procedures for managing keys, security passes and corporate clothing, particularly during staff exit processes. Conduct formal exit interviews to recover these items and ensure they cannot be misused for criminal or malicious purposes.

Additionally, reconfiguring passwords or access codes should be standard practice when staff leave to maintain security.

Keyholders

Emergencies may require urgent access to your premises. Plan ahead by identifying out-of-hours keyholders who:

• Are trained to operate CCTV systems
• Can be contacted reliably
• Know how to manage urgent enquiries and initiate appropriate responses during emergencies

Opening and Closing Procedures

Conduct thorough searches of the premises both before opening and after closing to ensure:

• No unauthorised individuals are on-site
• Any items left behind by patrons, visitors, or delivery personnel are identified and addressed

Pay particular attention to potential hazards such as personal belongings, drugs, weapons, incendiary devices, fireworks, laser pens, aerosols, alcohol, or harmful substances like acid.

Communication Systems

For larger premises, a public address system is recommended for swift and effective communication, especially in emergencies. Smaller venues should establish and rehearse suitable communication methods to ensure all staff understand their roles and responsibilities in an emergency. Regular testing of emergency plans and communication systems is essential.

Site Risk Assessments

Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to address potential hazards, such as:

• Use of laminated or safety glass
• Balconies, mezzanine floors, and areas with floor-level differences, which must be equipped with railings or similar safeguards
• Use of barriers, netting, or screens in high-risk areas

Ensure routes remain clear with signage and regular staff checks, and that these areas are well-lit, equipped with suitable handrails, and monitored by CCTV where possible.

By implementing these measures, you can create a safer and more secure environment for your patrons and staff, ensuring your venue operates efficiently and remains compliant with regulations.

Further information around employee and customer protection and vulnerability is available within the Licensing SAVI assessment.

Imagine a night out where you feel truly safer and more secure, knowing that the venue you're in has taken every measure to protect its patrons and staff. This is the vision driving Licensing SAVI, a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by Mark Morgan, a retired police officer with a deep-rooted passion for creating safer social spaces.

Meet Mark: A Champion for Safer Socialising

Mark's journey is unique. As a former police superintendent, he has been involved in tackling crime and disorder in licensed premises throughout his career. But he's also a personal licence holder, a regular at various licensed premises, and a father whose children work in the industry. This multifaceted perspective gives him invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities within the night-time economy.

Licensing SAVI: A Self-Assessment Tool with Real Impact

Developed by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives at the request of the Home Office, Licensing SAVI is a digital self-assessment tool designed to empower licensed premises to take control of their safety and security. By raising awareness of good practice and recognised standards, it helps venues reduce the risk of crime and create a more secure environment for everyone.

The Benefits Speak for Themselves

Since its implementation, Licensing SAVI has garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback. Venues appreciate the user-friendly system, the valuable content, and the opportunity to learn and implement practical safety measures. But the impact goes beyond anecdotal evidence:

• Improved Safety: Research shows a 74% improvement in safety for patrons and staff at participating venues
• Crime Reduction: South Wales Police report a 30% reduction in sexual assault and assault with injury, and a 23% reduction in drunk and disorderly behaviour at venues using Licensing SAVI. New research outlines the positive effects of Licensing SAVI on crime in Telford’s Night Time Economy, indicating a 24% decrease in violence with injury offences and a 17.9% reduction in reported incidents on premises
• Perceptions of Safety: The initiative has also had a significant impact on perceptions of safety. An impressive 68% of survey respondents in the Telford research expressed increased confidence in the safety of staff, and 74% felt more assured about the safety of patrons. Such confidence is crucial in fostering an environment where both employees and patrons feel secure and valued

Looking Ahead: Continuous Improvement and Wider Recognition

The team behind Licensing SAVI is committed to continuous improvement, ensuring the platform remains up-to-date with the latest technology, legislation, and best practices. Recent updates include a counter-terrorism question set to prepare venues for Martyn's Law and guidance on staff safety, particularly for those traveling home late at night.

Ultimately, Mark envisions the Licensing SAVI logo becoming a symbol of safety and security in the night-time economy, a recognised standard that reassures patrons and staff alike.

Join the Movement for Safer Socialising

Licensing SAVI is more than just a tool; it's a movement towards a safer and more enjoyable night-time economy. By embracing this initiative, venues can demonstrate their commitment to safety, reduce the risk of crime, and contribute to a vibrant and thriving social scene.

Find out more about Licensing SAVI 

Find out more at Licensing SAVI, the police backed security initiative for licensed premises which captures in one place, the wider legal requirements, design, good working practices, trade initiatives, security and technology attributed to meeting the licensing objectives.

Further information around employee and customer protection and vulnerability is available within the Licensing SAVI assessment.

At this time of year, colder, darker evenings can present additional challenges for licensed venues. Ensuring the safety of both your staff and patrons is crucial.

Secured by Design’s Lyn Poole has shared key tips to help venues maintain a safe and welcoming environment.

1. Ensure Safe Travel for Staff
Staff working late shifts may face difficulties getting home safely, especially with seasonal changes to public transport schedules. Make arrangements to support your team, such as:

• Checking transport options in advance
• Partnering with local cab companies to ensure safe and reliable travel
• Encouraging staff to share rides or providing travel allowances where possible

2. Monitor for Unwanted Attention
Keep an eye out for any staff members who may have experienced unwanted attention during their shift. What happens inside the venue can sometimes carry over outside, so ensure staff feel supported and protected. Create an environment where team members feel comfortable reporting any concerns.

3. Provide Personal Safety Devices
Consider offering personal safety devices, such as alarms or discreet tracking tools, to your team. These devices can offer reassurance and an extra layer of security for staff traveling to and from the venue.

See our Support Directory & Resources page for more information on Secured by Design accredited personal safety devices.

4. Maintain Safe Staff Parking
If your venue provides parking for employees, make sure the area is:

• Well-lit to deter suspicious activity
• Regularly maintained to ensure safe access
• Monitored by CCTV where possible, with footage reviewed as needed

5. Train Staff to Support Vulnerable Patrons
Equip your staff with the knowledge and tools to identify and assist vulnerable individuals. In addition to Licensing SAVI, initiatives such as WAVE (Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement by Safer Business Network) and Stamp Out Spiking can empower your team to act appropriately and foster a safer environment for everyone.

6. Recognise and Report Suspicious Behaviour
Staff should be trained to spot suspicious behaviour and know how to handle it. Regular briefings and clear reporting procedures can ensure swift action when necessary. This not only helps protect patrons but also contributes to a safer community overall.

7. Provide Cab Numbers for Staff and Patrons
Keep contact details for reputable local cab companies easily accessible. Display these prominently for customers, and make sure staff are aware of them too. This simple step can help everyone plan their journey home safely and conveniently.

A Safer Venue for All

By prioritising safety, your venue can become a place where patrons and staff alike feel secure and cared for. The darker nights don’t have to mean added risk—with thoughtful preparation and proactive measures, your venue can shine as a beacon of safety and enjoyment. Let’s work together to create safer social spaces for everyone.

Further information around employee and customer protection and vulnerability is available within the Licensing SAVI assessment.

What is WAVE?

The Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) course from the Safer Business Network is designed to equip individuals in customer-facing roles with awareness of vulnerability and their responsibilities towards customers. It includes two key components: WAVE training, which provides knowledge on recognising and assisting vulnerable individuals, and the Ask for Angela campaign, enabling people in unsafe situations to discreetly seek help from trained staff using a code word.

By training your staff in WAVE and implementing Ask for Angela you can play a role in helping to prevent and reduce sexual violence and vulnerability within your business and our towns and cities.