Avon and Somerset Constabulary has a strong commitment to work in partnership with all sections of the community to reduce crime and disorder.

The booklet available for download here is intended to assist licensees and owners of licensed premises both with improvements in security and to provide advice for managers to help with the smooth running of their business, their staff and their buildings.

It is not meant to be a definitive document and further reading or advice is offered towards the back of the booklet.

• It is divided into two sections, the first dealing with the managerial issues and the second dealing with physical security including such issues as design and layout.
• Good management practices not only reduce the likelihood of problems occurring but can make a manager’s life less stressful and more rewarding.
• The design and layout of licensed premises can play a major part in the reduction of crime, the fear of crime and the opportunity for it to be committed.
• Crime reduction is defined as the anticipation, recognition and appraisal of a crime risk and the need to take some action to remove or reduce it.

What is the Licensing Act 2003?

The Act establishes a single integrated scheme for licensing premises, which are used for the supply of alcohol, to provide regulated entertainment or to provide late night refreshment. Permission to carry on some or all of these licensable activities will now be contained in a single licence - the premises licence, and the Act has accordingly swept away considerable red tape at a stroke.

Key measures contained in the Act include:

• Flexible opening hours for premises, with the potential for up to 24 hour opening, seven days a week, subject to consideration of the impact on local residents, businesses and the expert opinion of a range of authorities in relation to the licensing objectives. This will help to minimise public disorder resulting from fixed closing times.
• A single premises licence which can permit premises to be used to supply alcohol, to provide regulated entertainment and to provide refreshment late at night. This will bring together the six existing licensing regimes (alcohol, public entertainment, cinemas, theatres, late night refreshment house and night cafes) thereby cutting down on red tape.
• A new system of personal licenses relating to the supply of alcohol which will enable holders to move more freely between premises where a premises licence is in force.
• Premises licences to be issued by licensing authorities after notification to, and scrutiny of, all applications by the police and other responsible authorities. Those living in and businesses operating in the vicinity of the premises will also be able to make representations on applications. The leaflet available for download explains how to do this and the timescales involved. There are also contact details for the relevant Licensing Offices under the Local Authority. They will be abelt to offer advice and information about the process.
• Personal licences to be issued by licensing authorities after scrutiny by the police where the applicant has been convicted of certain offences.

For further information on the new Licensing Act please refer to the Department of Culture, Media & Sport website

Licensing of door Supervisors

A new system of licensing door supervisors was introduced under the provisions of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. This will be administered by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

If you do not have an SIA licence then it will be against the law to work as a door supervisor. Locally issued licences, badges and registration schemes will no longer be recognised.

For further information on the SIA and obtaining a door supervisors' licence please refer to the SIA website.

How and where to get advice

The first point of contact should be your local police crime reduction officer or architectural liaison Officer (referred to in the document as the ALO), via your local police station. This officer will either be able to assist you directly or put your enquiries to the officer responsible for your town or district.

This officer will not only offer you advice on security products and design but will undertake crime pattern analysis, which will help to identify the types of crime likely to be encountered in that location. Nothing that breaches fire regulations should be done to premises or procedures. Personal safety always comes before security matters. The fire service is able to offer professional advice on all issues relating to fire prevention.