Wiltshire Police trains businesses to boost night-time economy

It is part of the force’s priority to create safer public spaces

Wiltshire Police is taking action to help pubs and clubs across the county improve safety after dark.

As part of Chief Constable Catherine Roper’s priority to create safer public spaces, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Night Safety Charter, a series of training sessions have been set up for staff working in night units.

The force says it wants to make sure the night-time economy is something everyone can enjoy without fear of harassment, violence, anti-social behavior or being made to feel vulnerable.

Free Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement sessions help staff better identify clients who are vulnerable and make appropriate interventions.

They are also more aware of potential drink increases and understanding of the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme which is in place in many locations across Wiltshire.

Tori Jordan is from the Still Sisters microdistillery and says the nightlife scene has been quieter since the Covid pandemic, which can make women feel more vulnerable.

“I think it can be quite dark, quite intimidating. I think as a woman, especially a woman on her own, the streets are not particularly crowded,” she said.

Tori added: “We want to get more people out. I believe the more women we can get out on our streets at night, the safer our streets and communities will be.”

Businesses are preparing a ‘key’ to a safer economy at night

Eren Bessem from Safer Business Network helps deliver the training alongside SAVI Licensing.

He says people are more likely to go to safer places.

Eren said, “What we’re doing is training places and organizations to make those cultural changes in terms of actually, how do they identify vulnerability, how do they identify it? How do they engage with people?

“And that’s really key because actually, you know, they make a real difference, you know, just talking to people, making sure they feel safe in that location.”

Data collected by SAVI Licensing shows that in Northampton, violent crime has fallen by 60% and criminal damage by 40% in the night-time economy since the course was delivered. While in Telford, Carl Phillips, head of public protection for Telford and Wrekin Council, claims to have seen a 30% reduction in all incidents reported to the police in venues that have undertaken the SAVI licensing process.

Tori says it’s vital for companies to engage in safety.

“It is the key to success. I think if you don’t have the businesses involved and you don’t work with the agencies, I don’t think it’s going to work, and I think it’s really important that we come together as a community.

“It can’t be one business in itself. It has to be a group of individuals, be proactive and work to make a difference.”

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