West Yorkshire’s Wellington Inn is one of the latest venues to receive 5-stars for demonstrating its commitment to staff and customer safety, achieving the Licensing SAVI accreditation for its efforts.
The Wellington Inn, part of Heineken UK’s Star Pubs Group, achieved this accolade after successfully taking part in a 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 all the information that licensed premises need to comply with 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. The venue can achieve a star-rating and have the opportunity to apply for Licensing SAVI accreditation and an award.
The Wellington is an early-19th century, Grade II listed pub, located on Elland’s main shopping street and at the heart of its local community. The bar features a wide selection of drinks, caters to sports fans and hosts events throughout the year.
David Wheater, Manager of The Wellington Inn, explained why he chose to undertake the assessment: “As chairman of the local pub watch, I decided to team up with Licensing SAVI to ensure I was up to date [with licensing standards] and more, so as to ensure the safety of my team and the customers.”
The Wellington joins a number of West Yorkshire venues who have achieved accreditation over the past year, following funding from the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).
Chief Superintendent Jackie Marsh, Director of the West Yorkshire VRU, said: “The accreditation of yet another establishment into the Licensing SAVI portfolio is an indicator of the progress we are collectively making in ensuring West Yorkshire remains safe, just, and inclusive.
“It further supports our Mayor’s ambitions around the safety of women and girls and is of great benefit to our night-time economy.”
Licensing SAVI was developed, following discussions with the Home Office, by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), which works alongside the Police Service to prevent and reduce crime. As well as providing 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.
Mark Morgan, Business Manager, Licensing SAVI, commented: “We’re delighted that The Wellington Inn has joined the growing number of licensed premises in both West Yorkshire and indeed across England and Wales who have achieved our security and vulnerability accreditation, having undertaken our assessment and demonstrated that they’ve taken reasonable steps to maximise the safety of their staff and customers. Well done to David and his team for their efforts and we wish them great success moving forwards.”
A YouGov survey of 5,050 adults aged 18-45 in England and Wales commissioned by Police CPI last year 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. Most measures included in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.
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 prevent terrorist attacks at crowded-places.
Contact:
The Wellington Inn
Tel: 01422 706011
Email:
Address: 55 Southgate, Elland, West Yorkshire, HX5 0DQ
Web: https://www.wellingtonelland.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