Allenburys Sports and Social Club in Ware has achieved a 5-star accreditation by demonstrating its commitment to keeping staff and customers safe, receiving a National Policing Award for Safety.
The Hertfordshire venue achieved this accolade after successfully taking part in a pioneering, police-led initiative to improve the safety and security of its premises for the benefit of staff, customers, and local communities.
Available as an on-line self-assessment, Licensing Security & Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI) brings together, for the first time, all the information that licensed premises need to comply with the requirements of local police and council licensing teams, achieve a star-rating and have the opportunity to apply for Licensing SAVI accreditation and an award.
Situated on the picturesque bank of the Lea Navigation in Ware, Allenburys is primarily a private members’ club, with a range of facilities available for hire to the public for occasions such as parties, weddings, wakes and other events. The venue features views over the river, versatile function rooms, a comfortable bar, and a garden room, and regularly plays host to various music acts.
General Manager, Samantha Dudgeon, explained: “At Allenburys, we take the safety of our staff and customers very seriously, whilst ensuring we are a welcoming club, always putting our members first. As a family friendly venue, we want all our customers to enjoy their time with us in a relaxed environment. We are proud to have achieved this accreditation which demonstrates our commitment to this.”
Ian Shuttleworth, Licensing SAVI, praised the venue for its achievement: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Hertfordshire Police in bringing Licensing SAVI to venues across Hertfordshire. Allenburys Sports and Social Club have shown, throughout the completion of their self-assessment, their ongoing commitment to improving the safety and the feeling of safety of all who use and visit their venue.”
Outlining how they achieved their rating, Ian continued: “Building upon the existing good practices already in place, Licensing SAVI has helped Allenburys management to conduct a ‘health-check’ and raise awareness amongst staff of key issues, such as Violence against Women and Girls, Ask For Angela & drink spiking, as well as physical security considerations, leading to the venue achieving the highest 5 star Licensing SAVI rating.
“I wish to congratulate all the Team at Allenburys Sports and Social Club on their award and I look forward to seeing more venues across Hertfordshire displaying the Licensing SAVI Safety award, in the near future.”
East Herts Neighbourhood Inspector Mark Collins said: “We are striving to ensure that the night-time economy is safe for everyone, by working with our local venues. I am pleased that Allenburys has passed with flying colours and my team will continue to assist others who are taking part in the Licensing SAVI process, which forms part of the wider work we’re doing around the night-time economy here in East Herts.”
Licensing SAVI was developed at the request of the Home Office by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), which works alongside the Police Service to deter and reduce crime. As well as provide safer and more secure venues for managers, staff, customers, and local communities, it also seeks to reduce demand on Police Forces, NHS Ambulance Services and Accident & Emergency Departments.
A YouGov survey of 5,050 adults aged 18-45 in England and Wales commissioned by Police CPI in September 2021 found that 79% of adults agreed with the statement that ‘recent publicity around the safety of women and girls has made it more important for licensed premises to improve their safety procedures’.
The research also found that support for improved safety in venues is greatest among women – with 83% of women wanting improved safety in nightclubs compared to 75% of men; and 81% of women wanting safer bars and pubs compared to 70% of men.
Licensing SAVI covers critical issues like responsible drinking, drugs misuse, violent behaviour and safeguarding vulnerable customers through to preventing opportunist theft and improving physical security, such as lighting and CCTV.
It also covers drink spiking, an issue which has hit national headlines recently with a number of victims from around the country reporting being assaulted with needles.
Most measures included in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.
The first police award of its kind, Licensing SAVI aims to support the licensing trade and is backed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Project Servator, a police-led vigilance scheme to deter terrorist attacks at crowded-places.
Contact:
Allenburys Sports & Social Club
Tel: 01920 88 2189
Email:
Address: Harris's Lane, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 0DJ
Web: https://www.allenburys.co.uk/
For further information visit:
Licensing SAVI:
Email:
Web: https://licensingsavi.com
About Police CPI
Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI) is a police-owned, not-for-profit organisation which delivers a wide range of innovative and ground-breaking crime prevention and demand reduction initiatives to support the UK Police Service, Government and the public. Senior police officers control and direct the work Police CPI carries out on behalf of the Police Service.
Visit: https://www.policecpi.com