Wiltshire Police training businesses to improve night time economy
It's part of the forces priority to create safer public spaces
Steps are being taken by Wiltshire Police to help pubs and clubs in the county improve safety after dark.
As part of the Chief Constable Catherine Roper's priority to create safer public spaces, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner "Safety At Night Charter", a number of training sessions have been set up for staff working in late night establishments.
The force say they want to ensure the night time economy is something everyone can enjoy without fear of harassment, violence, anti-social behaviour, or being made to feel vulnerable.
The free Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement sessions help staff better better identify customers who are vulnerable and make appropriate interventions.
They're also made more aware of potential drink spiking and an understanding of the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme, which is in place in many venues across Wiltshire.
Tori Jordan is from Still Sisters micro distillery and says the night time scene has been quieter since the Covid pandemic, which can make women feel more vulnerable.
"I think it can be quite dark, quite intimidating. I think as a female, especially a female on your own, the streets aren't particularly busy," she said.
Tori added: "We want to encourage more people out. I think the more women that we can get out onto our streets at night, the safer our streets and our communities will be."
Businesses being prepared a 'key' to safer night time economy
Eren Bessem from Safer Business Network helps deliver the training alongside Licensing SAVI.
He says people are more likely to go to safer venues.
Eren said: "What we're doing is training venues and organisations to make those cultural changes in the sense of actually, how do they identify vulnerability, how to spot it? How do they engage with people?
"And that's really key because actually, you know, they make a real difference by, you know, just talking to people, making sure they feel safe in that location."
Data gathered by Licensing SAVI shows that in Northampton, violent crime has reduced by 60% and criminal damage by 40% in the night-time economy since the course was delivered. While in Telford, Carl Phillips, the head of public protection for Telford and Wrekin Council, claims to have seen a 30% reduction in all Police reported incidents in venues that undertook the Licensing SAVI process.
Tori says it's vital for businesses to engage in safety.
"It's key to making it a success. I think if you don't have the businesses engaged and you don't work with the agencies, I don't think it'll work and I think it's really important that we come together as a community.
"It can't be one business on its own. It has to be a group of individuals and being proactive and working to make a difference."