Work to support bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants in towns and cities across the force area to help make venues safer for customers, staff and local communities is gaining pace.

And West Mercia Police is encouraging more premises to join more than 100 others who have already signed up to the Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI).

Licensing SAVI (or LSAVI) is the first ever National Policing Award for safety and security, and it is a major part of the Forces’ prevention strategy to tackle all types of crime, with a focus on preventing violence against women and girls.

Licensing SAVI encourages venues to test and improve their operational security and management practices using an online self-assessment, which, for the first time, contains all the information that licensed premises need to meet police and council statutory requirements for safety and security.

Upon submitting their assessment, a venue will be awarded a Licensing SAVI star-rating to display the efforts they have taken to improve safety and security.

As well as providing safer and more secure venues, Licensing SAVI also seeks to reduce the demand on Police Forces and their partners including local councils, NHS Ambulance Services and Accident and Emergency Departments. It is supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Superintendent Edward Hancox, Head of Prevention at West Mercia Police, said: “We’re really encouraged by the more than 100 premises who have already signed up the Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative.

“Licensing SAVI aims to help bars, clubs and restaurants across our towns and city centres do everything they can to make their venue safer. Our licensing officers will work with premises to promote the award, which is already well embedded at venues in Telford with 69 of them accredited.

“We want everyone to feel and be safer on a night out and will continue to work with partners and premises to help us achieve this.

“Funding is available through our Safer Streets fund to enable more venues to sign up to Licensing SAVI and they can do so by getting in touch with their Licensing Officer who can explain how to go about it.”

Mark Morgan, the Licensing SAVI Lead, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the work of West Mercia Police in reducing crime and demand attributed to licensed premises and in particular with the focus upon spiking which is a horrendous crime where I’ve seen first-hand and more recently in speaking to victims and their families, the significant impact caused. 

“However, with our combined efforts, we can make a real difference against this threat and send a clear message to those intent on perpetrating harm. 

“We have been working to support venues in tackling spiking and have written good practice guides for licensed venues and customers.

“Alongside this, we have worked with behavioural scientists from the National Crime Agency to develop offender-focused posters and digital screen displays, targeting those most likely to cause harm.

“We’ve also collaborated with the Night Time Industries Association to promote awareness of how staff at licensed premises can support victims and prevent spiking.”.  

There are a range of excellent free resources available for licensed premises in the Licensing SAVI Resource Hub