TACTICAL OPTIONS

FOR DEALING WITH

ALCOHOL-RELATED
VIOLENCE
IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE
TACKLING VIOLENT CRIME
PROGRAMME
 Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

Contents
Introduction 3
Chapter 1 – Key generic issues for agencies to consider in preparation for the  6
attendance of night-time economy users in an area
Chapter 2 – Getting there: Arriving in the area 13
Chapter 3 – The main event: Making the evening safe and enjoyable 16
Chapter 4 – Leaving: Planning to ensure that night-time economy users arrive home safely 20
Acknowledgements 23

Visit the Tackling Violent Crime Programme website at: www.crimereduction.gov.uk/tvcp/tvcp01.htm

2
Introduction
The Tackling Violent Crime Programme (TVCP) was launched in November 2004. Through this programme the
Home Office is working intensively with practitioners in a small number of local areas with high levels of more
serious violent crime. The aim is to support local efforts to reduce alcohol-related crime and domestic violence
in particular; to improve police and other agencies’ performance and partnership working; to improve local
strategies; and to develop good practice, which can then be disseminated nationally. The TVCP currently works
with 56 of the 373 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) in England and Wales through the
Government Offices who have responsibility for regional delivery of the programme.

The TVCP has funded a large number of initiatives since it began. Whilst some represent ‘core’ activities that are
common to the majority of CDRPs involved in the programme, others are increasingly innovative.

This guide aims to highlight the effective practice that has led to a reduction in more serious night-time economy
violence in the TVCP CDRPs. It will take the reader through a typical night out and the different interventions that
can be utilised at different stages and times of the evening. The guide is broken down into a series of sections,
which aim to reflect each stage of an evening in the night-time economy.

By April 2008 all local areas will have in place an alcohol strategy to reduce anti-social and violent behaviour
along with alcohol-related health harms as well as providing information to tackle under-age drinking. This
document will assist those responsible for delivering reductions in anti-social and violent behaviour related
to alcohol.

The guide signposts readers to those TVCP areas that have introduced different interventions which have had an
impact on violent crime.

Getting Started: Violent Crime Strategic Group

It is advisable to start by forming a dedicated multi-agency violent crime strategic group. This group would meet
regularly to develop and implement a localised action plan and would report progress to the CDRP which leads
on developing the local alcohol strategy. The group would focus actions in accordance with local priorities and
would assist in holding agencies to account for those actions. The following agencies’ representation and input
are essential to such a group:

Police – It is essential to include a senior officer ‘champion’ who can assist in implementing projects to reduce
violent crime.

Local Authority – This is a leading agency responsible for a wide range of services which complement core
activity, such as providing additional enforcement services, highways, planning, street lighting and waste
management, and implementing by-laws. Representatives from the local authority will also include:

• a night-time economy manager – Many CDRPs have appointed night-time economy managers, who liaise
with other stakeholder agencies such as licensing units, the alcohol industry, police and local authorities,
providing an essential link between those responsible for the reduction of violent crime;

3
 Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

• the licensing unit – Local authorities have been responsible for licensing since the introduction of the
Licensing Act 2003. Best practice has seen police and local authority licensing units combining and working
from a co-located office; and

• those providing or using the services of the night-time economy.

Trading Standards – Trading Standards officers who can also conduct under-age sales test purchase operations.

Alcohol industry – It is advisable that a manager from this sector is included in the strategic group so that they
can represent licence holders’ interests through a forum such as Pubwatch.

Data analysts – It is advisable that data analysts attend so that they can present relevant joint information from
all partners relating to violent crime hotspots and the mapping of incidents. The group can plan activity based on
this collective information.

(Guidance will be provided to local areas on what information is available and how it might be used.)

Media/marketing – Media officers can publicise good news stories, thereby reducing the public’s fear of crime
and leading to reassurance.

Fire and Rescue Service – Fire officers are able to bring additional data to the meeting and can be involved fully
in both the enforcement, visibility and education sides of the plan.

Health services – Representatives are able to bring important additional data to the meeting. Full engagement
means not only that information can help to identify and understand the full extent of the problem with
depersonalised information from A&E admissions, but also that reductions in violence and alcohol-related
injuries will lead to significant savings for health and paramedic services.

Education – Engagement of education authorities is seen as important, to balance the enforcement side of the
action plan.

All the above agencies can contribute to reducing violent crime. Meetings should take place at least quarterly
with minutes taken and action points arising being agreed and assigned.

4
 Introduction

Violent crime strategic group

Alcohol Local
industry Authority

Licensing
Police unit

Night-time
Media/ VIOLENT CRIME economy
marketing STRATEGIC GROUP manager

Data Education
analysts

Trading Fire and Health

Standards Rescue Service services

5
 Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

Chapter 1
Key Generic Issues for Agencies to Consider in
Preparation for the Attendance of Night‑time Economy
Users in an Area

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Licensing To have an identified Senior manager in The champion liaises with the different agency leads
champion lead for licensing the local authorityfor licensing so that issues are identified and dealt
issues within each with efficiently. This individual is part of the violent
Contact: Licensing unit
agency who provides crime strategic group and is on the panel to deal
Jonathon Toy, strong leadership, Police basic with licensed premises in need of attention and
Southwark guidance and command unit (BCU) assistance.
CDRP, London, direction
Local fire and rescue
jonathon.toy@
service
southwark.gov.uk
Health services
Education
Identify ‘top 10’ To have a joined‑up Local authority The licensing unit draws down intelligence from a
licensed premises approach to licensing unit variety of sources in order to accurately identify
in need of identifying and licensed premises in need of improving. (Sources
Police
attention and dealing with the include: reported crimes, information from custody
assistance ‘top 10’ premises Local authority offices, arrest data, intelligence reports, complaints,
identified as being enforcement unit accident and emergency (A&E) department data and
Contact:
in need of attention information from other enforcement units within the
Local fire and rescue
Jan Hart, and assistance local authority.)
service
Islington CDRP,
Use should be made of the Practitioners’ guide for
London,
dealing with problem licensed providers on the TVCP
jan.hart@islington.
website.
gov.uk
Sergeant
Chris Gibson,
Merseyside Police,
christopher.
m.gibson@
merseyside.pnn.
police.uk

6
 Key generic issues for agencies to consider in preparation for the attendance of night‑time economy users in an area

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Licensing panel To have a panel of Police Where issues are not serious enough to warrant
senior staff from prosecution or review, on occasions just sending
Local authority
key agencies to a letter advising an irresponsible licence holder
deal effectively with Local fire and of the problems can bring little response. As a
licence holders rescue service consequence, a licensing panel can be formed to
who feature in the which licence holders are called. The panel should
Trading Standards
‘top 10’ comprise the Assistant Director, Chief Inspector –
Police and Senior Fire Officer holding responsibility
for licensing in their respective organisations. The
panel discusses findings with regard to licence
holders and agrees an action plan. All three
Contact:
organisations give support to licence holders. This
Jan Hart, works best when time is invested to solve problems
Islington CDRP, jointly. Compliance is then monitored, and cases are
London, passed for review or prosecution if repeat offences
jan.hart@ occur. The panel can also see licence holders who
islington.gov.uk have made sales during test-purchasing exercises;
for these cases, the Chief Trading Standards Officer
joins the panel.
Use of Licensing To have a structured Licensing panel, Examples of how the powers of the Licensing Act can
Act 2003 powers way in which to in conjunction be utilised can be found in the guidance notes via
use Licensing Act with multi-agency the TVCP website.
This is
powers effectively, licensing officers
complemented See: www.crime reduction.gov.uk/tvcp/tvcp01.htm
to review and revoke
by a range
licences and to
of additional
impose conditions
measures in the
as appropriate
Violent Crime
Reduction Act
2006, e.g. ADZs,
Directions to
Leave, Expedited
Reviews and
increased fines
for persistently
selling to
children
Alcohol task To have a mobile Police This group is able to be tasked as a direct response
force police unit able to to the identification of the ‘top 10’ premises in need
Local authority
be intelligence led of attention and assistance.
Contact: licensing unit
in their deployment
Having a specially trained and dedicated unit to deal
Jan Hart, for alcohol-related
with the people and premises enhances efficiency in
Islington CDRP, incidents
providing a quality service.
London,
jan.hart@
islington.gov.uk

7
 Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Custody office Custody staff to Police Intelligence is fed into the violent crime strategic
intelligence collect details of group and into the multi-agency group that deals with
gathering where arrested the ‘top 10’ licensed premises in need of attention
people have been and assistance.
drinking that night,
and particularly
where they have
had their last drink,
to enable a clear
intelligence picture
Contact:
to be created to
Chief Inspector assist with the
John Dale, targeting of the
Westminster top 10 licensed
BCU, London, premises in need
john.dale2@met. of attention and
pnn.police.uk assistance
Promoters index, To make use of a Police – CO14 Clubs Can be used to collate details on problematic
CO14 Clubs database similar to and Vice Unit, MPS promoters, artists and venues and in conjunction
and Vice Unit, the MPS database with a requirement for identified licensed premises
Contact can be
Metropolitan on music promoters, to inform the police when they have details of a
made with the
Police Service artists and event- proposed event. This allows the police to identify and
CO14 Clubs focus
(MPS) holding licensed assess potential risks and implement/monitor any
desk from non-MPS
premises. The necessary additional risk management measures
forces for searches
index contains required.
and advice
data on identified
problematic events,
Contact:
promotions and
ClubsFocusDesk- artists and is
CO14@met. available 24 hours
police.uk or a day. Intelligence
telephone 020 is held on crimint
7321 8203 (criminal intelligence
system)
Counter terrorism For all bars, pubs Designated Bars, pubs and nightclubs need to reduce the risk
protective and nightclubs to be premises of a terrorist attack and limit the damage such an
security advice conversant with the supervisors attack may cause.
guide
Contact: Local authority
licensing unit
www.
nactso.gov.uk Police
Accurate flagging To ensure that the Police Flagging is used to gain a clear idea as to the
on crime reports correct alcohol particular problems in an area with respect to
flags are attached alcohol-related incidents and offences. This assists
Contact:
to crime reports in developing problem profiles and subsequent
Keith Lawrance, and incident logs, problem-solving initiatives.
Leeds CDRP, to create clear and
keith.lawrance@ accurate intelligence
leeds.gov.uk

8
 Key generic issues for agencies to consider in preparation for the attendance of night‑time economy users in an area

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Best Bar None To set up a scheme Designated This scheme is either used in a designated area/
whereby licensed premises ward or implemented across a CDRP/BCU from the
premises are supervisors outset. It can grow each year in response to demand,
encouraged to promotes safety, and recognises high standards and
Local authority
achieve common responsible management of licensed premises.
licensing unit
minimum standards
Contact:
and can compete at Police
John McNamara a local level for an
British Institute of
British Institute annual award.
Innkeeping (BII)
of Innkeeping
johnmc@bii.org CDRP
Alcochol Referral Scheme to refer Police This scheme can be used to target alcohol-related
Scheme adults who have offenders using a combination of penalties and
been arrested for health and education interventions to drive home
Contact:
alcohol-related messages about alcohol and risks and to promote
www.homeoffice. offences only changed behaviour.
gov.uk/
documents/
Alcohol-strategy.
pdf?view=Binary
james.blamey@
homeoffice.gsi.
gov.uk
Polycarbonate To reduce glass- Designated Glasses and glass bottles are exchanged for
drinking related injuries in premises polycarbonate to reduce the potential for them to be
vessels or other licensed premises supervisors used as weapons or cause accidental injury. They
alternatives to and surrounding also prevent floor coverings from needing treatment
Local authority
glass areas as a result of glass being trodden into them.
licensing unit
Contact: Encourage adoption In high-risk premises a condition can be placed on
Police
of plastic instead the licence by the licensing committee.
Chief Inspector
of glass for certain
Adrian Studd,
premises, particular
Clubs and Vice
problems or events,
Unit, MPS,
or during certain
adrian.studd@
periods
met.police.uk
Jan Hart,
Islington CDRP,
London,
jan.hart@
islington.gov.uk

9
 Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

To gain Gather A&E A&E department This is linked to the violent crime strategic
information depersonalised group, which looks at the data compiled by A&E
Local authority
to create a information relating departments relating to violent crime. The data
holistic picture to patients who Police sheets include where the injured person consumed
of intelligence have consumed their last drink and the type of violent crime they
around alcohol- alcohol experienced. The information is made anonymous
related violence and then complements that of the police and the
local authority.
Contact:
Zara Anderson,
Liverpool
John Moores
University,
z.a.anderson@
ljmu.ac.uk
Planning town To manage the Local authority When planning applications are received, issues
centre usage development of town around commercial use, transport implications for
Police
centres effectively services to all areas, access and facilities for all age
Contact:
Local fire and ranges, crime prevention and designing out crime are
www. rescue service all taken into account. Copies of the How to manage
communities. town centres guide can be obtained from
Health services
gov.uk 0870 122 6236.
Use of sniffer dogs To place sniffer Police Sniffer dogs are utilised at transport interlinks early
dogs in key in the evening so that customers attending the
Contact: Local authority
locations to detect night-time economy area can be scanned for illegal
Jonathan Roy, drugs substances.
Merseyside
Police,
Jonathan.R.Roy@
merseyside.pnn.
police.uk
Use of Penalty To issue PNDs Police PNDs are used to ‘set the tone’ of the area. The
Notices for in respect of aim is to prevent low-level disorder from escalating.
Disorder (PNDs) individuals who Although there may be a short-term increase in
attend the night-time recorded lower level offences with this tactic, this
Contact:
economy area and should plateau once the deterrent effect of the
Jonathan Roy, commit low-level use of PNDs is realised and, correspondingly, more
Merseyside disorder serious violence should fall.
Police,
Jonathan.R.Roy@
merseyside.pnn.
police.uk
Night-time To have a specific Local authority This post co-ordinates and supports all of the
economy post to co-ordinate activities that form part of the night-time economy
Police
manager night-time economy and is available at the key hours in order to manage
activities, in the any issues that arise.
Contact:
same way that
Martin the town centre
Greenhalgh, manager focuses
Bolton CDRP, on the day-time
martin. economy
greenhalgh@
gmp.pnn.
police.uk

10
 Key generic issues for agencies to consider in preparation for the attendance of night‑time economy users in an area

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Dispersal Orders To designate a Local authority These should be utilised in intelligence-led hotspot
to tackle anti- ward/specified area areas where there is then the capacity to enforce
Police
social behaviour that is subject to breaches.
the Dispersal Order,
Contact:
to increase powers
Chief Inspector to deal with anti-
John Dale, social behaviour in
Westminster the area
BCU, MPS,
john.dale2@met.
pnn.police.uk
Sue Bryant,
sue.bryant@
goem.gsi.gov.uk
Sec 27(2) of the Direction to leave Police Whereby over 16 year olds’ presence is likely to
Violent Crime a locality related to cause or contribute to the occurrence, repetition or
Reduction Act alcohol incidents continuation of alcohol-related crime and disorder in
2006 a locality and it is necessary to remove them from
the locality.
Contact:
http://police.
homeoffice.gov.
uk/news-and-
publications/
publication/
operational-
policing/
directions-to-
leave-locality
Crime prevention To provide crime Local authority Providing new students with crime prevention advice
advice for prevention makes them aware of the safety issues and helps
Local education
students information in areas them to remain safe in pubs and bars while out late
authority
where there are at night.
Contact:
large numbers of
Kate Griffiths, new students who
Southwark are unfamiliar with
CDRP, London, the area
kate.griffiths@
southwark.gov.uk
Anti-Social To serve an ASBO Police Good practice example – Liverpool:
Behaviour Orders on violent crime
Local authority One of Liverpool’s most prolific violent crime
(ASBOs) offenders in city
offenders has been served an ASBO, banning him
centres whose
Contact: from the city centre between 6pm and 6am for the
behaviour is
next 10 years.
Jonathan Roy, anti‑social
Merseyside
Police,
Jonathan.R.Roy@
merseyside.pnn.
police.uk

11
 Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Conditional Conditional Cautions Police Conditional Cautions are aimed at rehabilitation and/
Cautions can be issued to or reparation and may include restorative justice
CPS
over 18-year-old processes.
Contact:
offenders for low
www.cps.gov.uk/ level offences
Publications/ (country wide from
others/conditional April 2008)
cautioning04.html
They are an
www.cps.gov.uk/ alternative to
Publications/ prosecution whereby
directors_ the caution has
guidance/ conditions attached
conditional_
cautioning.html
Acceptable Acceptable Police ABCs can be used as an intervention against
Behaviour Behaviour constant problematic individuals in an attempt to
Local authority
Contracts Contracts/ address unacceptable behaviour in a given area or
anti-social behaviour
agreements can be location.
Contact: team
used (before ASBOs
Sergeant or parenting orders)
Paul Dunn, in order to nip the
Metropolitan problem in the bud
Police,
paul.dunn2@
met.pnn.police.uk
Pub Watch BOBB Police Enables licensed premises to demonstrate a united
Banning (Behave or Be front towards problematic individuals who have
Local authority
Schemes Banned) caused problems in licensed premises by banning
licensing unit
enables the them from all licensed premises in any given Pub
Contact:
exclusion of Designated Watch area.
Superintendent problematic premises
Stuart Ashton, individuals from supervisors
Essex Police, licensed premises
stuart.ashton@ linked by the Pub
essex.pnn. Watch scheme
police.uk

12
Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

Chapter 2
Getting There: Arriving in the Area

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Media campaign To make effective Local authority A media campaign ensures that publicity is used to
use of the media in maximum effect for all events.
Police
order that activities
Contact:
undertaken Voluntary sector
Joanne Davies, are highlighted
Manchester CDRP, comprehensively
j.davies6@ and co-ordinated
manchester.gov.uk centrally in the CDRP
‘Lock ’Em In’ Media campaign Police Media campaign with information available at
media campaign aimed at raising outlets in the night-time economy area to reinforce
awareness about acceptable standards of behaviour in the night-time
Contact:
acceptable economy area.
Ron Johnson, standards of
North Yorkshire behaviour
Police,
ron.johnson@
northyorkshire.
pnn.police.uk
Use of plasma To site screens Local authority The screens and boards feature a mixture of
screens/ and boards near to information and warnings which are updated
Transport for
dot‑matrix boards transport interlinks regularly. The rolling programme offers assistance
London
to advise incoming and advice both to the night-time economy users and
users of the night- Police to anyone else passing through the area.
Contact:
time economy of the
Steve Breen, acceptable standard
Ealing CDRP, of behaviour in
London, the area they are
steve.breen@ entering
ealingbroadwaybid.
co.uk

13
 Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Body-worn video To collect evidence Police These cameras are worn overtly in order to record
systems through video actions and incidents. The cameras are capable of
Licensed premises
cameras that are recording both audio and video. National guidance
Contact: door staff
overtly worn on the was published in July 2007.
Plymouth BCU body (primarily the Local authority
via Martin head) enforcement unit
Goodall, Home
Office,
martin.goodall5@
homeoffice.gsi.
gov.uk
See:
http://police.
homeoffice.gov.
uk/operational-
policing/
technology-
equipment
Mobile CCTV To have a mobile CCTV staff Strong links to be made to the Tasking and
vans CCTV van able to be Coordination meeting for intelligence-led deployment.
Local authority
deployed at will Presence will act as reassurance as well as a
Contact:
Police deterrent and for detecting offenders.
Chief Inspector
Simon Prince,
simon.prince@
met.police.uk
Speakers To use loudspeakers CCTV staff This reduces anti-social behaviour and criminal
attached to CCTV to inform offences in the area by reminding individuals they
congregating groups are being observed.
Contact:
that they are being
Roselyn Baker, observed and
Salford CDRP, filmed by the CCTV
Roselyn.Baker@ operators
salford.gov.uk
Intervention by To distract CCTV staff This has been trialled in Glasgow. CCTV staff
CCTV operators individuals who proactively scan the streets for individuals whose
look as if they are non-verbal behaviour is such that it appears that
Contact:
becoming volatile they are about to engage in violent activity. A light,
Detective Chief through the use which is fully compliant with health and safety
Superintendent of a light by CCTV rules, is guided towards the individuals to act as a
John Carnochan, operators as a distracter, based on the fact that sight is the most
Strathclyde distraction concentrated sense when aggression is building.
Police,
john.carnochan@
strathclyde.pnn.
police.uk

14
 Getting there: Arriving in the area

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Marshalling of To have a Local authority A high concentration of adults in high-visibility jackets
school-aged co-ordinated multi- to identify them as marshals deters large groups and
Local education
children agency response prevents disorder, robbery offences, bullying, etc.
authority
outside schools at
Contact:
the end of the day Police
Detective to deter gangs and
Transport for
Chief Inspector to police the buses
London
Nick Simpson,
Haringey BCU, Bus company
MPS,
nicholas.
simpson@met.
pnn.police.uk

15
 Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

Chapter 3
The Main Event: Making the Evening Safe
and Enjoyable

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Environmental To ensure that Police It is essential that the key agencies plan together
scanning plans are put in well in advance and that they have a sufficient flow
Local authority
place in specific of information so that they can respond quickly to
circumstances, for Designated any issues that arise.
example to mitigate premises
against temporary supervisors
risks relating to
Voluntary sector
specific events, at
peak crime times
in the calendar
(Christmas, bonfire
night, Halloween,
etc). It can also be
used in advance of
known disruptions
by roadworks, etc
Street pastors To have trained Religious groups Street pastors are stationed in areas where young
volunteers to people may be vulnerable, to offer practical help
Contact: Police
interact with and and assistance as well as advice on a vast range
Chief Inspector help individuals on Local authority of issues.
Simon Prince, the streets
Enfield BCU, MPS,
simon.prince@
met.pnn.police.uk
Radio links To have a dedicated Local authority By using the radios premises are able to advise other
radio channel users of potential problems (which are not in need of
Contact: Town centre
to link the town police assistance at that stage). Door staff can be
manager
Russell Hartley- centre manager/ linked through a radio system, and CCTV staff can be
Jones, Hackney night‑time economy Police provided with a police radio and/or a Pubwatch radio.
CDRP, London, manager with CCTV
Private sector
russell.jones@ operators, licensed
hackney.gov.uk premises and fast-
food outlets and
Steve Breen,
other night-time
Ealing CDRP,
economy service
London,
providers
steve.breen@
eclondon.co.uk

16
 The main event: Making the evening safe and enjoyable

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Telephone in the To enable licensees Designated This improves communication between the night-time
CCTV control and night-time premises economy service providers, and helps co-ordinate
room economy service supervisors activity regarding individuals of concern.
providers to alert
Contact: Local authority
the CCTV control
Chief Inspector room (if no radio Night-time economy
Simon Prince, link is in place) to manager
Enfield BCU, MPS, low-level disorder,
Police
simon.prince@ so that it can be
met.pnn.police.uk monitored Private sector
Ensuring door For premises to Designated This ensures that the minimum standards set out in
staff are Security ensure that their premises legislation are maintained.
Industry Authority door staff are SIA supervisors
(SIA) accredited accredited
Local authority
See:
Police
www.the-sia.org.uk
Identification of For premises to Designated The wearing of fluorescent bands means that door
door staff ensure that their premises staff are immediately visible and identifiable.
door staff are supervisors
Contact:
easily identifiable
Door staff
Police Sergeant by the wearing
Robert Dear, of fluorescent Local authority
Camden BCU, armbands or jackets
Police
MPS,
robert.dear2@
met.pnn.police.uk
Door supervisorsEach premises Police The health check will look at how many door staff are
initiative will be visited by working at the club, whether they are complying with
SIA
the police, the SIA regulations, and whether they are in possession
SIA, the fire and Local authority of the appropriate badges. This is a way of setting
rescue service and the standard and tone of the premises by having a
Fire and rescue
the local authority well managed door.
Contact: service
licensing unit, and
Detective a ‘health check’
Inspector John will be conducted
Anderson, Clubs around the door
and Vice Unit, supervisors and any
MPS, issues of concern
john.anderson4@ around the premises
met.police.uk

17
 Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Use of drug wipes For licensed Designated If an area is wiped and drugs are identified, the
premises to ‘wipe’ premises matter can be referred to the police. They will then
Contact:
areas once a week supervisors identify offenders and bring them to justice, and will
Police Sergeant so that the use suggest ways to design out crime in any given area
Door staff
Robert Dear, of drugs can be to reduce the potential for such occurrences in the
Camden BCU, identified Local authority future.
MPS,
Police
robert.dear2@
met.pnn.police.uk
Reusable plastic To provide Alcohol vendors/ Reusable plastic lids can be used in licensed
lids for bottled customers with designated premises where there is a predominance of vertical
drinks reusable lids with premises drinking to prevent the spiking of drinks. Items are
the first bottled supervisors now available in most supermarkets.
Contact:
drink they buy
Local authority
Shalina so that they can
licensing unit
Balakrishnan, prevent it from being
Hackney CDRP, spiked Police
London,
shalina.
balakrishnan@
hackney.gov.uk
Chill-out hour To reduce alcohol- Local authority This is particularly effective if there are a number of
related violence licensing unit premises that all have the same closing time, as it
Contact:
means that customers do not exit onto the streets
Police
Constable David at the same time in a heightened state immediately
Murphy, Enfield after drinking alcohol.
BCU, MPS,
d.murphy@met.
pnn.police.uk
Lollipops To supply customers Alcohol vendors/ Lollipops are made available to customers exiting
leaving licensed designated licensed premises in order to preoccupy them and
Contact:
premises at the end premises therefore reduce noise and violence.
Chief Inspector of the evening with supervisors
Simon Prince, a lollipop
Licensed premises
Enfield BCU, MPS,
door staff
simon.prince@
met.pnn.police.uk Local authority
licensing unit
Detective Chief
Inspector Chris Police
Lovatt, Waltham
Forest BCU, MPS,
christopher.
lovatt@met.pnn.
police.uk

18
 The main event: Making the evening safe and enjoyable

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Ensuring To take Designated All licensed premises staff should deal with problems
problems are not responsibility for premises within their premises prior to the people involved
‘pushed out onto problems occurring supervisors leaving.
the pavement’ within licensed
premises

Chelsea clips To attach security Designated Clips will assist with crime reduction within licensed
clips to the premises premises, thus making them a safer environment for
Contact:
underneath of a supervisors customers to help reduce and prevent thefts.
Police Sergeant table or bar
Local authority
Mark Halton,
licensing unit
MetPoliceLicensing
Team@ Police
westminster.
gov.uk
Use of Special To deploy SC staff Police All available staff are deployed in the most effective
Constabulary in accordance with way possible, and SC staff are included in the
Local authority
(SC) officers need through the policing family, thus making maximum use of
Borough Tasking resources.
and Co-ordination
meeting

19
 Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

Chapter 4
Leaving: Planning to Ensure that Night-time Economy
Users Arrive Home Safely

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

CCTV in fast- To encourage the Private sector Advertised use of CCTV should deter anti-social
food outlets, cab fitting and use of businesses behaviour; if anti-social behaviour does occur, CCTV
offices, etc CCTV in premises increases the chances of detecting offenders.
Police
frequented by
Contact:
night‑time economy Local authority
Steve Breen, users
Ealing CDRP,
London,
steve.breen@
eclondon.co.uk
Personal- For staff to be Private sector This training can easily be linked to the use of CCTV
protection/ trained in both businesses (see above); if CCTV is part funded, training can be a
conflict-resolution personal protection condition of allocation. The training seeks to reduce
Police
training and conflict and diffuse the escalation of violence and anti-social
resolution in Local authority behaviour.
premises frequented
by night-time
Contact:
economy users (for
Helen Simpson, example licensed
Kirklees CDRP, premises, fast-food
helen.simpson@ outlets, cab offices,
kirklees.gov.uk etc)
Staff training in To reduce the Private sector Workers need to be aware of the vulnerabilities
off-licences, fast- potential for conflict associated with their occupation. Training on issues
Local authority
food outlets, cab in outlets providing such as a lone-worker policy, age limits on sales
offices, etc services to night- of alcohol and cigarettes and actions to minimise
time economy users conflict will reduce these vulnerabilities as far as
Contact:
(off licences, fast- possible. A co-ordinated approach to training will
Helen Simpson, food outlets, cab yield the best results.
Kirklees CDRP, offices, etc)
helen.simpson@
kirklees.gov.uk

20
 Leaving: Planning to ensure that night-time economy users arrive home safely

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Planning ‘safe For the local Local authority The local authority makes information on routes
corridors’ authority to available to partner agencies, which can then
Designated
advertise routes disseminate the information to customers. This
Contact: premises
into and out of the means that customers are given intelligence-led
supervisors
Joanne Davies, night-time economy information to make their visit as safe as possible.
Manchester area which are Police
CDRP, perceived to be the
j.davies6@ safest
manchester.
gov.uk
Information Leaflets on personal Alcohol vendors/ Important messages are distributed to exiting
leaflets safety with cab designated customers to assist with their welfare once outside
numbers, etc to premises the licensed premises.
be handed out to supervisors
Contact: customers as they
Licensed premises
leave licensed
Paul Foster, door staff
premises
Croydon CDRP,
Local authority
London,
licensing unit
paul.foster@
croydon.gov.uk Police
Temporarily To define areas to Local authority A temporary increase in the size of the pavement
increasing be closed to traffic reduces overcrowding on pavements and the
Police
pedestrian areas at peak times of the potential for violence that accidental jostling may
night-time economy Transport cause.
Contact:
associates
Reduce road traffic collisions and risk of altercation
Chris Thompson,
between pedestrians and drivers.
Wakefield Police,
Ct76@
westyorkshire.
pnn.police.uk
Taxi marshalling To guide the public Alcohol vendors/ Club door staff, street wardens, etc manage queues
to safe areas designated at taxi-marshalling points.
Contact:
where there is a premises
(This initiative can be linked to the information
Cheryll Jones- steady flow of cabs supervisors
leaflets mentioned above.)
Wright, Croydon available, so that
Licensed premises
CDRP, London, they can leave the
door staff
Cheryll.Jones- area quickly and
Wright@croydon. safely Local authority
gov.uk enforcement unit
Chief Inspector Local authority
Iestyn Prosser, licensing unit
The Royal Borough
Police
of Kingston upon
Thames BCU, Local authority
MPS,
iestyn.prosser2@
met.pnn.police.uk

21
 Tactical options for dealing with alcohol-related violence identified through the Tackling Violent Crime Programme

Option Description Lead agency Purpose

Paramedics and To have a police Police A police officer and a paramedic work together,
PCs officer and touring the city centre and acting as the first point of
Ambulance service
paramedic working contact for people with minor injuries. This results
Contact:
together in the city in fewer admissions to A&E departments and fewer
John Stevenson, centre 999 calls for a dedicated ambulance.
Humberside
Police,
john.stevenson@
humberside.pnn.
police.uk
Triage tents To provide medical Ambulance service Joint ambulance and police mobile and static
care in city centres facilities should be positioned in the city centre.
Contact: Police
to support the night- These act as the first point of medical provision,
Richard Geen, time economy Local authority thus taking pressure off A&E departments and
Cardiff Council, the ambulance service. Fewer people attend A&E,
rgeen@cardiff. leading to reductions in violent crime and anti-social
gov.uk behaviour at A&E.
Evaluation
available at:
www.cardiff
communitysafety.
co.uk

22
Acknowledgements
The Police and Partnership Standards Unit is grateful to the authors of this document:

Chief Inspector Amanda Dellar – TVCP fieldworker

Andy Pownall – TVCP fieldworker

Thanks are also owed to the following for their efforts:

All of the CDRP contributors

DCS Richard Mann – PPSU – TVCP

Clare Beamish – Violent Crime Unit – TVCP

Chief Inspector Martin Goodall – PPSU – TVCP

Christine Graham – TVCP fieldworker

Scott Weetch – TVCP fieldworker

Chief Inspector Duncan Slade – PPSU – TVCP

23
Produced by COI on behalf of the Home Office. October 2007. Ref: 281118