The Crown pub in Sutton has joined a number of safety-focused licensed venues in the borough to receive a National Policing Award for Safety.
The Crown, part of Stonegate Group’s Craft Union Pubs, 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.
The high-street venue caters to the local community, screening sporting events and hosting regular events including quizzes, karaoke, and live music. Claire Leaver, general manager at The Crown, explained why the venue chose to participate in the Licensing SAVI initiative: “We here at The Crown believe that everyone who comes out to enjoy themselves should be able to do so without worry and risk on their minds. Everybody here at The Crown strives to make sure that each and every person is safe and can enjoy their time with us. Martin and I, along with our staff, have worked incredibly hard to make our pub a safe place to come, and we are very proud to have achieved this award. We all would also like to take a moment to thank all of our customers for their ongoing support with everything we are doing here at The Crown.”
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.
Guy Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer, Police CPI said: “It is really pleasing to see that The Crown, by adopting this initiative, has shown a strong desire to offer safe, high-quality entertainment for people to come to and enjoy themselves in Sutton. As a former Police Borough Commander and longstanding Sutton resident I welcome The Crown and applaud the Successful Sutton BID for being enthusiastic early adopters. It bodes well for the future of Sutton.”
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:
The Crown
Tel: 0121 272 5499
Email:
Address: 285 High St, Sutton, SM1 1LD
Web: https://www.craftunionpubs.com/crown-pub-sutton
For further information visit:
Licensing SAVI:
Email:
Web: https://licensingsavi.com