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This article highlights the importance of partnerships in promoting licensing objectives and addresses the need for early warnings and improvement measures. It explores strategic partnerships, enforcement partnerships, Pubwatch, Best Bar None, Street Pastors, and other relevant initiatives. The article also discusses the role of Licensing Enforcement Partnerships (LEPs), Pubwatch schemes, and the duty of care of licensees in creating a safe drinking environment.
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Partnership working in the Night-time economy Mark Worthington Licensing & Nightsafe Sergeant Northamptonshire Police
Section 182 Guidance 11.11 It is important to recognise that the promotion of the licensing objectives relies heavily on a partnership between licence holders, authorised persons, responsible authorities and any other persons in pursuit of common aims. Where authorised persons and responsible authorities have concerns about problems identified at premises, it is good practice for them to give licence holders early warning of their concerns and the need for improvement, and where possible they should advise the licence or certificate holder of the steps they need to take to address those concerns. A failure by the holder to respond to such warnings is expected to lead to a decision to apply for a review. Co-operation at a local level in promoting the licensing objectives should be encouraged and reviews should not be used to undermine this co-operation. Why Work In Partnership?
Presentation content • Strategic Partnerships • Enforcement Partnerships • Pubwatch • Best Bar None • Street Pastors • SOS Bus etc • CSPs • Purple Flag
County Licensing Authorities Partner agencies TOR Report to the Heads of Environmental Services Group Strategic Partnerships(Licensing Liaison Groups)
Reports to the County Licensing Liaison Group Co-ordinate consistent and effective enforcement Focus at an operational level Targeting of agreed problem and high risk premises Membership of the group - primarily operational/delivery staff from the partners agencies Licensing Enforcement partnerships (LEPs)
To share good practice To provide a forum for the exchange of information To share a common approach to enforcement To inform members of legislative changes, case law, codes of practice etc. To liaise with other agencies with regard to the sharing of information To develop enforcement activity in relation to problem licensed premises Licensing Enforcement partnerships (LEPs)
What is Pubwatch A Pubwatch scheme is set up by a group of local licensees who adopt an agreed approach to reduce crime and disorder in their local area by excluding those whose presence on their premises poses a risk to a safe drinking environment. It also creates a forum for sharing information and best practice on issues relevant to the Licensed Trade within a geographic area.
What are NPW’s Aims and Objectives? Aim: To achieve a safe and secure social drinking environment in all licensed premises throughout the UK. Objectives: To reduce drink related crime To gather information to help and support local schemes To encourage the setting up of schemes where they do not exist To administer a comprehensive database of UK Pubwatch schemes NEW – mapping system & evaluation tools
Do Licensees think Pubwatch works? 92% believe banning orders work 80% believe PW help to create a safer local drinking environment 62% agreeing that their local Pubwatch has contributed to a decrease in alcohol-related violence and disorder in their local area. Source Leeds Metropolitan University, commissioned by National Pubwatch
Duty of Care Licensees have a duty of care to staff and customers and an obligation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to conduct risk assessments and these should include the risk posed by individuals with a known record or propensity for violent or aggressive behaviour The best mitigation of such a risk is to refuse any such individual entry to their premises Licensees have a Common Law right to (collectively) ban individuals from their premises
Banning Orders • A ban by a local Pubwatch is not a punishment for offences committed by that person, but is a means to and protect licensees, their staff and customers from the anti-social behaviour by the person(s) concerned. • Licensees have the common law right to exclude any person(s) from their premises for whatever reason provided it does not breach anti-discrimination legislation. • A licensed premises joining a Pubwatch scheme delegates that responsibility to the Pubwatch. • This responsibility may be delegated by the designated premises supervisor (DPS) to another member of staff who should be a personal license holder (PLH). However there can be exceptions to this rule.
Points of Note Must get the balance right: support v control Court of Appeal : Decisions R(Proud) –v- Buckingham Pubwatch R(Boyle) –v- Haverhill Pubwatch
Pubwatch & The Late Night Levy /EMROs Pubwatch has no accreditation Difficult to compare effectiveness of schemes – town/city demographics, dynamics etc NPW provides a framework of good practice and local schemes should be able to demonstrate: • Formal structure • Clear Aims & Objectives • Meaningful activity NPW has concerns regarding potential damage LNL may cause to Pubwatch (and BBN)
The plug ……. National Pubwatch Conference Birmingham, 12 March 2013 Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and the Government’s Alcohol Strategy • Speakers include: • Jonathan Neame – Chief Executive, Shepherd Neame and BBPA Chairman • Dr Alex Kenyon – Leeds Metropolitan University, Pubwatch Evaluation Project • Chief Constable Adrian Lee – ACPO Licensing Lead http://www.nationalpubwatch.org.uk/events
Best Bar None – what is it? • BBN is a national award scheme supported by the Home Office and the BII • Promotes responsible management and operation of licensed premises. • The aim is to reduce alcohol related crime and disorder • Best Bar None raises standards and rewards excellence • It raises the profile of a town/city as safe place to enjoy a night out 17
How does it work? • Schemes are flexible and are tailored to the local conditions • Co-ordinated by various partners in each area • Assessment of licensed premises will be carried out by trained, impartial assessors • Licensed premises wishing to get involved in their local BBN scheme can apply to join. • Participation in BBN schemes is of a voluntary nature. • More details can be found at http://www.bbnuk.com/ • And an example of a local scheme at http://www.bestbarnone-northants.co.uk 18
What do premises get assessed on? • Smoke-free • Accident & Incident management • Lighting • First aid • Fire safety/procedures • Glass policy • General safety • Noise • Community Engagement • Age related issues • Door policy • Security briefing and reviews • Alcohol promotion policy • Drugs recovery/seizure policy • Policy on drunkenness • CCTV coverage • Crime & Disorder • Lost and found property • Crime prevention strategy • Risk assessment 19
Who decides? • The top ?? premises in each category are then put forward to be judged • The judging process is an opportunity to involve a wider group of local opinion formers and significant members of the local community. For example: • Police • Town Centre manager • CSP manager • BBPA • Licensing barrister 20
Winners • The award ceremony is then held which forms an ideal opportunity to reward participants in the scheme as well as highlight the importance of BBN in a local area. • Award ceremonies are designed in the most appropriate format for the local scheme; from a high profile awards night to a ceremony at the council offices. • Finalist get Plaques to display at the entrance to their premises • Local press coverage • Other media coverage 21
Plaques 22
Who are Street Pastors? • Ascension Trust Volunteers • Pastoral support for vulnerable people • Work in small groups • They are all vetted & trained internally • They work alongside Police and partners 24
Uniform 25
PolAmb DECC Safe Haven SOS Bus SOS Bus
Multi agency approach All partners represented Holistic view Action planning Funding streams Community Safety Partnerships
developed by ATCM objective assessment recognition that your town/city centre is managing its night time experience raise the standard and broaden the appeal of centres between 1700 and 0600 Purple Flag
A raised profile and an improved public image Increased visitors Increased expenditure Lower crime and anti-social behaviour A more successful mixed-use economy