Saturday night, December 8, saw the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) South East Partnerships and Interventions team and Thames Valley Police calling at student pubs and clubs in Reading. There the regulator and police were offering best-practice guidance on safer physical intervention for door supervisors as a reminder of how to keep their clients and themselves safe. The aim; to promote the importance of safer restraint and reduce violence during the festive season.
The night marked the Reading launch of a campaign to improve students’ safety during the Christmas party season. The SIA staff were offering a poster and leaflets on Safer Physical Intervention for Door Supervisors with four student pubs. It features guidance and illustrations of best practice for safer restraint, intended as a quick reminder for door staff licence holders and relates to the training they received in physical intervention.
Kevin Young, the SIA’s Regional Investigations Manager, South Region, says: “We want students and young people to have a great night out and go home this Christmas unharmed. It also ensures the safety of the licensed door supervisors who work at these venues, the majority of whom do a very good job in challenging circumstances. This builds on an existing partnership between SIA and Thames Valley Police to reduce the levels of violence as a result of alcohol consumption at Reading’s nightspots.”
The initiative is supported by Thames Valley Police (Reading) and the University of Reading.
The SIA seeks to persuade businesses and door supervisors in the night time economy to report incidents to the police so that the SIA can get an accurate picture of violence against students and door staff. Incidents can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the Authority’s website.
To download a copy of the poster visit SIA’s website. Pubs and clubs are encouraged to download the poster and share it with door supervisors and promote the campaign: #SaferStudents #Saferrestraint #PartySafe #SIALocal.
