Licensing security and vulnerability initiative (licensing SAVI)

The licensing security and vulnerability initiative (licensing SAVI) aims to raise awareness of security and associated crime prevention, to reduce:

• vulnerability
• crime
• associated demand within licensed premises

It aims to support the on-licensed industry (any venue selling alcohol for consumption at the premises, such as nightclubs, bars, pubs, restaurants, hotels, sports clubs, and stadiums) and responsible authorities. It does this by helping them to recognise, understand and implement good practice in safety and security measures that can impact a venue and surrounding areas.

Good practice identified during the self-assessment contributes to:

• safer venues
• reduced demand for police and partners
• increased customer base for venues – those with recognised safety accreditation are more likely to have more customers because of public confidence

Implementation of the recommended crime prevention measures following the self-assessment is intended to lead to outcomes of:

• reduced crime
• fewer victims of crime
• increased perceptions of safety

Licensing SAVI is a digital self-assessment. It can be completed on a computer, tablet or mobile phone.

Licensing SAVI was developed at the request of the Home Office by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI). Police CPI works alongside the police service around the UK to deter and reduce crime. Licensing SAVI is supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

Availability

Licensing SAVI is available to any on-licensed premise in England and Wales, including all restaurants, hotel bars and sports stadiums.

Following a promotion campaign, venues choose whether they would like to participate. It costs £120 plus VAT for the assessment and 12-month accreditation.

Digital self-assessment

A suitable representative completes the digital assessment, such as a manager or premises supervisor. The assessment takes 45-90 minutes to complete.

It includes questions about:

• staff training and safety
• crime prevention measures
• drugs and alcohol misuse
• violence against women and girls
• vulnerability and bystander intervention
• child sexual exploitation
• cyber security
• anti-social behaviour
• counter terrorism
• traditional licensing considerations

After assessment

The assessment is sent to licensing SAVI within Police CPI. Police CPI provides the accreditation, which lasts for 12 months. Police CPI undertake all media, assessment dip-sampling and roll-out work, so there is no requirement for local resources, unless they choose to be involved. Being a digital platform, the licensing SAVI is available anywhere and anytime.

Examples of recommended crime prevention measures following the use of licensing SAVI include:

• staff training about vulnerability, how can they mitigate vulnerability and bystander intervention
• implementing the free template policies relating to female safety, spiking, age verification, child sexual exploitation, dispersal of customers and anti-social behaviour, drugs, crime scene preservation
• simple crime prevention measures to deter theft, drug use and burglary
• implementing the 'Ask for Angela' scheme to support vulnerable women
• the use of free resources, such as drug prevention resources, age verification resources, and ‘respect our neighbours’ posters

• A full academic evaluation of the initiative use in West Mercia has commenced with early indications of demand reductions at around 30%. The work is due for completion by September 2024.
• Licensing SAVI is one of several initiatives used in Northampton where a 60% reduction in violent incidents has been seen.
• Analysis of Licensing SAVI use in Cardiff has seen a 30% reduction in sexual assault, 30% reduction in assault with Injury, 23% reduction in drunk and disorderly at premises accredited by Licensing SAVI.

Initial observations indicate positive impact through user feedback from venues, coupled with the crime and demand reductions detailed above.

Venues are indicating that they're taking learnings and can easily amend working practices to improve safety and security at their venue – no matter the experience of the person completing the self-assessment. Once accredited, they like being able to display their accreditation to customers to increase confidence in safety.

There are currently registered venues in more than 140 towns and cities across England and Wales, with accredited venues in most of those areas. The greatest concentrations of accredited venues are in Greater Manchester, West Mercia, Yorkshire, Greater London, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Dyfed-Powys, Humberside, Lancashire and Wiltshire.

• Challenges included raising awareness of the initiative. Having greater promotion and awareness before launch may have improved understanding about what the initiative is and what it means. 
• Based on user feedback, Police CPI changed the assessment to include more user-friendly terminology and less police jargon. The platform's appearance has also been developed to provide a better digital experience.
• Successes included positive feedback from early users, with some geographical areas seeing positive feedback around the public perception of safety with increased use of the licensing SAVI. The licensing SAVI is the first of its kind on a digital platform. It is a unique, user-friendly tool from a policing initiative with crime prevention practitioners.