Violence in licensed and retail premises - What are your staffing levels like?

Staffing levels

• Using greater numbers of staff can mean surveillance is increased.
  • The greater the number of staff, the more able they are to alert police to an incident and remember identification details.
• Increasing staff numbers can reduce waiting and queuing times.
• Inadequate staffing levels can lead to unsatisfactory customer service. This can increase the risk of violence and aggression from unhappy customers.

If it is not possible to increase staffing levels all the time, you should think about:

• increasing them at peak times, eg evenings, during football matches etc;
• improving information sharing between staff about violent customers and keeping records of past abusive or violent outbursts;
• having a safe room on the premises where staff can easily retreat;
• a male/female balance in staffing, especially at night, as this can be helpful;
• avoiding individuals being isolated or working alone wherever possible;
• ensuring your opening and closing procedures are documented and allowing for at least two members of staff to be present whenever possible.

• Return to working practices