Violence in licensed and retail premises - Partnership schemes
HSE is not responsible for the content of the websites described below, and does not specifically endorse any of the schemes mentioned here.
Retail
Safer Shopping Partnerships
- British Retail Consortium
These are local partnerships involving retailers, local authorities and the police. There are currently 250 schemes across the UK. They help cut crime in town centres: partners alert each other and the police if they see a known criminal, and this helps prevent crime. This is particularly effective against organised gangs of shoplifters.
Businesses can work towards "Action Against Business Crime's Safer Business Award (SBA)". This is a national standard that recognises high standards of management and operation in retail crime partnerships. Retail partners who have received this award can publicise it, for example by using the SBA logo on stationery and in prominent locations in the shop.
- ShopWatch
This is another partnership scheme between retailers, the police and government. ShopWatch schemes are locally driven initiatives set up to tackle crime and disorder problems in a particular community, involving a communications network between retailers and police and even other Watch schemes such as Pub/Clubwatch, Hotelwatch or Cabwatch. Shop staff monitor premises and feed information back to the police. If the scheme is well publicised, the presence of these additional observers deters theft and anti-social behaviour. Success, however, depends on the commitment of all Watch members.
Retailers Against Crime Scotland (RACS)
- Scottish Business Crime Centre
Provided by the Scottish Business Crime Centre, this scheme uses a database of known, professional and persistent thieves and travelling offenders. Information is circulated to members of the scheme so they can detect and deter those criminals in future.
Licensed premises
- PubWatch/Clubwatch schemes (National Pubwatch)
This is a partnership scheme between licensed premises, the police and government. PubWatch/Clubwatch schemes are locally driven initiatives set up to tackle crime and disorder problems in a particular community, involving a communications network between licensed premises and police, and even other Watch schemes such as Shopwatch, Hotelwatch or Cabwatch. The scheme also provides good practice information and licensed premises must agree on a number of policies for action against individuals who cause, or threaten, violence, abuse or damage. Success, however, depends on the commitment of all Watch members.
Pubwatches tend to use radios or other devices to communicate with each other and let each other know of potential offenders. PubWatch also uses window stickers and posters to publicise and advertise the fact that anti-social behaviour will lead to individuals being banned from all premises included in the Watch.
- 'Best Bar None' awards scheme
This scheme raises standards of operation for the management of licensed premises and can be made a condition of the licence if there is evidence of problem behaviour. The key elements of the scheme are the promotion of responsible licensed trade management, promotion of socially responsible drinking, commitment to customer care, and a commitment to reducing crime and disorder in town centres and public places due to alcohol abuse. Accreditation uses multi-agency inspection visits; visible wall plaques to create a 'kitemark' for safe premises and annual awards to recognise achievement and create community links. You should talk to your local police about whether such a scheme operates in your local area.
