Licensing SAVI Advice to Licensees As Premier League Season Kicks Off
The 2021-2022 Premier League kicked off on Friday 13 August with police advising licensed premises to prepare their staff to manage large crowds gathering to watch televised matches throughout the season.
The guidance and advice comes from a pioneering licensing initiative, developed at the request of the Home Office, by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, (Police CPI), which works alongside the Police Service around the UK to deter and reduce crime.
It is called Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI) and it seeks to improve the safety and security of bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, hotels, theatres and sporting clubs by bringing together in an online self-assessment all the information that venues in England and Wales need to promote the four Licensing Objectives.
The advice focuses on problem-solving reasonably anticipated risk. For example, check Premises Licence conditions to ensure plans are compliant, especially when considering using space differently such as outside areas which may not have been used before. Also, submit Temporary Event Notices where necessary as early as possible.
Brentford Football Club - photo credit: obfcp.co.uk/Mark D Fuller
Be aware of big match dates and consider ticket-only access and whether you need support of Security Industry Authority (SIA) registered Door Supervisors if you expect large attendances.
Respect customers who may still want to social distance and wear masks following the lifting of statutory COVID-19 restrictions, review your policies and risk assessments to ensure they are fit for purpose and record changes to operating practices in risk assessments and audit trails.
Take the opportunity to brief your team on procedures and management practices, such as Challenge 21/25 age-identification schemes to manage underage drinkers and emergency procedures, such as how to respond to alarms and how to manage customers to avoid exceeding venue capacity.
In addition, position TV match screens to avoid potential congestion, especially avoiding emergency exits and consider safe and controlled dispersal from your venue when matches finish.
Mark Morgan, Business Manager for Licensing SAVI, and former Superintendent of Merseyside Police, said: “It is timely for venues to review their operating practices to keep their staff and customers safe.”
Mark added: “Our Licensing SAVI self-assessment can be used on a lap-top, tablet or phone at any time of the day and is the ideal ‘one-stop shop’ to undertake such a health check.”
Further guidance:
https://licensingsavi.com/advice-hub
Licensing SAVI:
