A police-backed initiative helping licensed venues to improve safety and security in the night-time economy has achieved its first success in Nottinghamshire.
The national ‘Licensing Savi’ scheme is aimed at supporting licensed premises to create a safer environment for staff, customers, and the local community through advice and the implementation of policies and procedures. It allows venues to self-assess their current performance and identify areas for improvement.
This scheme also includes supporting licensed premises to make improvements to help prevent and reduce violence against women and girls.
Nottinghamshire Police’s County Licensing Team has been busy making venues aware of the scheme – leading to The Royal Oak pub in Radcliffe-on-Trent becoming the very first accredited venue in Nottinghamshire, as well as achieving the highest five-star rating available.
The awards assessment undertaken covers topics including responsible drinking, drug misuse, preventing violent behaviour, and safeguarding vulnerable customers. It also looks at preventing opportunistic theft and improving physical security, such as lighting and CCTV systems.
Our licensing teams are part of Nottinghamshire Police’s Prevention Hub – a collaboration between force departments responsible for developing strategies to prevent crime and disorder throughout the city and county.
One of our licensing officers raised the Licensing Savi scheme at a Pubwatch meeting for the Rushcliffe borough area. This led to a self-assessment being completed by The Royal Oak of its own volition, with a licensing officer asked to attend so they could see what was involved during the assessment.
Nottinghamshire Police licensing officer Adrian Paling said: “I am pleased to see The Royal Oak become the first certified premises in Nottinghamshire to achieve Licensing SAVI accreditation.
“The landlord, Chris Farman, and his team endeavour to provide a safe place to socialise, with this five-star award being recognition they deserve.
“The assessment took a couple of hours to complete, going through various questions covering the security of the premises, which ranged from doors and window locks, whether the venue used door supervisors, what policies and procedures they have in place, managing risk, and how the applicant runs their business.
“One of our licensing officers was later contacted by a Licensing Savi assessing officer to discuss the application, and they were able to confirm everything documented in the assessment, at which point the venue was accredited the highest five-star rating.
“Moving forward, we hope to continue working with key partners in rolling out Licensing SAVI across the Nottinghamshire area, supporting and recognising safer licensed premises for all to enjoy.”
Neighbourhood policing sergeant for Rushcliffe South, Brett Price, added: “Engaging with licensed premises and partner agencies is a vital part of our work to keep people safe during the night-time economy, by ensuring systems are in place to deal effectively with any issues that may arise.
“The Licensing Savi scheme provides an opportunity to highlight how local establishments are upholding standards to make areas safer places in which to socialise.
“Everyone has the right to enjoy a night out without fearing for their safety and, as part of our work, we will continue to work closely with our licensed premises to ensure that this is the case.
“I hope others will now follow in The Royal Oak’s footsteps so that visitors and staff will feel even safer when they socialise in venues across Nottinghamshire.”
The Royal Oak landlord, Chris Farman, said: “We are extremely proud to be the first pub in Nottinghamshire to achieve the five-star Licensing Savi accreditation.
“At a time when the hospitality industry faces many challenges, it’s really important to us to be able to offer our customers that peace of mind that we have all the right processes and training in place to keep them safe on their night out.
“Schemes like this are so important in keeping our venues at the forefront of what’s changing and, as chair of the Rushcliffe and Villages Pub Watch, I will be encouraging other licensees to take part in the scheme.”
Licensing SAVI business manager, Mark Morgan, said: “We are delighted to see the efforts to enhance safer socialising in pubs and welcome the support from Nottinghamshire Police, coupled with such positive feedback from all involved with The Royal Oak achieving our five-star accreditation.
“We look forward to supporting local efforts to maximise the safety of all people when out and enjoying themselves in licensed premises – we know from several surveys and feedback that this is what customers want and that they are more likely to socialise in venues where they feel safer.
“Congratulations to Chris and the team on their efforts and achievement.”
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for environment and safety, Rob Inglis, said: “The accreditation highlights how The Royal Oak is among the licensed premises taking the right approach to responsible management of their business and acknowledging the wider role they play as a community hub in Radcliffe.
“The pub was named Business of the Year at our Celebrating Rushcliffe Awards in November, has a great food hygiene rating, and the five-star score is another reason Chris and the team are leading by example to show their role in how to prevent and reduce crime in a workplace.
“It’s testament to their wider awareness and assertiveness in playing their role as a responsible employer, and they should be congratulated for being the first outlet anywhere in Nottinghamshire to achieve this assessment.”
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