Following the launch of the Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI) across Telford and Wrekin in December, licensed venues in the district have been signing up to demonstrate their commitment to improving safety and security in their premises.
With funding from Telford and Wrekin Council’s Safer and Stronger Communities project, around 65 venues in the area were given the opportunity to achieve the accreditation, supported by West Mercia Police, with many obtaining a 5-star rating.
Venues presented their certificates at Wellington Pub Watch - (l-r) The Dun Cow, The Cock Hotel, The Old Orleton, The Walnut, Railway Inn, Oddfellows and The Boot
Licensing SAVI was developed in collaboration with the Home Office by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), a police-owned organisation which works alongside the Police Service around the UK to deter and reduce crime.
With a focus on tackling violence against women and girls, Telford and Wrekin Council, in partnership with West Mercia Police, is encouraging venues to sign up to the initiative in a bid to help people feel safe when out in the night-time economy.
Carl Phillips, Public Protection’s Commercial Manager, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working in partnership with Licensing SAVI. Following this local authority launching Licensing SAVI back in December, we now have over 50 premises who have registered with the scheme. We have worked closely with licensees and our Night-Time Economy Team have been on hand to assist venues with the application process.
“The feedback we have received from our licensed trade is very positive. The online self-assessment tool is easy to use and provides comprehensive advice and guidance to our licensees. We hope that visitors to Telford’s night-time economy will look out for the safety ratings and be reassured that venues who display their accreditations are committed to ensuring their customers are safe.”
Supporting the hospitality industry, Licensing SAVI is backed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Project Servator, a police-led vigilance scheme to deter terrorist attacks at crowded places. Its aim is to provide safer and more secure venues for managers, staff, customers and local communities and to reduce the demand on hard-pressed police forces and NHS Ambulance Services and Accident and Emergency Departments.
Available to licensees as an on-line self-assessment, 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 systems. Most measures included in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.
Licensing SAVI provides consistent standards, guidance and advice that licensed premises in Wales and England need 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. Licensing SAVI includes a non-assessed guidance section on counter terrorism.
Licensees that complete the self-assessment will receive a Star-Rating and can apply for Licensing SAVI Accreditation and an award for display to show the efforts undertaken to enhance safety.
Ian Shuttleworth, Licensing SAVI, commented: “We are excited to be working alongside such great partners at Telford and Wrekin Council, in rolling out Licensing SAVI to licensed venues across the area. We continue to see fantastic engagement from the licensed venues themselves and are delighted at their willingness to follow the advice and guidance contained within Licensing SAVI, to achieve our highest 5* rating.
“Supported also by West Mercia Police, the partnership approach to improving the safety and the feeling of safety across Telford, with the implementation of various training and initiatives, can only be of benefit to the Night-Time Economy and all those who visit and socialise in the area. I would urge members of the public to look out for our logo in the window of venues across Telford and visit those venues, with the comfort and knowledge that they have been rigorously assessed, to look after your safety, security and to deal with any vulnerability. We hope to see many more venues completing the accreditation process in the coming weeks and months”.
The following Telford and Wrekin venues have already received Licensing SAVI accreditation, with more expected to complete assessment in the coming weeks:
The Wrekin Giant, Bridge Builder, Railway Inn, Oddfellows Arms, Cuckoo Oak Inn, The Dun Cow, The Old Orleton Inn, The Walnut, The William Withering, The Cock Hotel, The Venue, The Coracle Micropub, Telford United Football Club, The White Horse, The Boot Micropub, The Priorslee and The Lamb Inn.
Contact: Licensing SAVI
Email:
Web: https://licensingsavi.com/