Best practice

Drink spiking

Drink spiking is when somebody puts alcohol or drugs (illegal or prescription) into a person’s drink without their knowledge or permission.

The Licensing Authority expects applicants for premises licences and club premises certificates, and current licensees, to take reasonable steps to prevent drink spiking on their premises, taking into consideration government guidance on the matters and any recommendations made by local police licensing.

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

The VAWG Government strategy for tackling violence against women and girls was published in 2021. Tackling violent crime in the night-time economy is likely to have a direct impact on preventing violence against women and girls.

If appropriate, applicants and licence holders should be proactive in preventing VAWG for example by participating in appropriate initiatives and raising staff awareness through training resources and guidance. Examples of initiatives include ‘Ask for Angela’ and the Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training package.

Serious youth violence

Serious youth violence may occur in licensed premises, any operator that may hold entertainment that could attract a younger audience such as student nights must risk assess the event to ensure that any incidences of serious youth violence will be mitigated against. (measures include the use of knife arches/wands, suitability of promoters, door supervision, robust entry & robust age verification. Any event of this type must work closely with the Licensing Authority & West Midlands Police.

Counter terrorism

Recent times have seen a significant increase in terrorist attacks and the threat from terrorist attacks. Licensed premises licensed open spaces and public events, where large numbers of people may gather, can unfortunately be a target for terrorist activity. Licence/certificate holders and people submitting temporary event notices are therefore recommended to ensure they have assessed, planned and initiated suitable control measures to counter and mitigate against such terrorist attacks. Further advice can be obtained by contacting the Police or the Council’s Licensing Team.

New applicants and existing authorisation holders are encouraged to be a member of a local Pubwatch Scheme. Pubwatch is a community-based scheme, primarily focused on preventing crime and anti-social behaviour in and around licensed premises. It involves licensees (owners of pubs and other licensed venues) working together to improve safety and security for staff, customers, and the wider community. Pubwatch schemes often share information, exchange support, and take joint action to address issues like anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. 

In determining applications for pubs, clubs and bars, the Licensing Authority will expect the applicant to explain its approach to creating a safe and secure environment for everyone, including the adoption of schemes supporting the safeguarding of women, vulnerable customers and the protection of young adults in licensed venues.

Whilst aiming to create a safe and secure environment for everyone working and socialising in pubs, clubs and bars, the Licensing Authority encourages applicants and premises licence holders to consider arrangements that could be put in place to manage the risk of sexual harassment of women, such as “Ask for Angela” scheme and WAVE training (Welfare and Vulnerable Engagement) and to protect young adults.

Applicants and licence holders for these types of venues should include these safeguarding measures in their operating policies and are encouraged to consider adopting the following measures to help prevent and reduce violent crime linked to the night time economy, to prevent and reduce sexual offences, reduce preventable injury linked to alcohol and drug use in the licensed economy and reduce opportunities for criminal activity and anti-social behaviour in licensed premises, by supporting (this list is not exhaustive):

• Ask Angela
• Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement training (WAVE)
• Women's night safety charter
• Safe to Talk Domestic Violence campaign
• Get me home safely campaign
• Any policies about hate crime and the reporting of it, and any other similar initiatives

Environmental best practice

16.1 Applicants and authorised licence holders are encouraged to provide evidence as to how they would promote environmental protection and are encouraged to join the Council in working towards their target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by considering a number of measures:

• reducing energy usage and switching to green energy suppliers
• reducing food wastage and train staff in good practices
• when choosing takeout and delivery containers, opt for compostable materials where possible
• focusing on reducing all types of waste and recycling were possible
• reducing use of vehicles and switching to bikes or electric vehicles where they continue to be needed
• supporting staff and customers who cycle to the licensed premises
• inform customers about the actions being taken
• buying from other businesses who are taking action to reduce their carbon footprint, including buying more locally

16.2  Applicants and existing authorised licence holders should prioritise diversity, inclusion and equality, which includes a positive and inclusive environment for employees and customers whilst upholding the highest standards of service and safety. Measures that operators can put in place are (this list is not exhaustive):

• implementing diversity and inclusion training programs and policies to address unconscious bias, promotes understanding and ensures fair treatment, adheres to the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legislation
• implement measures to ensure that the premises are accessible to people with disabilities (such as providing ramps, accessible restrooms, and appropriate seating)
• the use of clear and concise language in all communication with customers