Hart District Council Licensing Officers have undertaken compliance visits on licensed premises in Fleet town centre to promote public safety during the busy festive period for venues.
The team visited ten venues during the evening of Friday 6 December with a focus on promoting ‘Ask for Angela’ and ‘Spike Aware’ schemes following recent press reports on the schemes.
The ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme is a safety initiative that allows people to discreetly seek help if they feel unsafe or vulnerable in a licensed venue. Asking venue staff for “Angela” is a signal they need assistance.
Officers were pleased to find positive measures implemented at late night venues to safeguard vulnerable customers, and to deter spiking related incidents. Where ‘Ask for Angela’ and ‘Spike Aware’ schemes had not been formally implemented, venues received details and advice and explained their procedures to monitor customer conduct and welfare.
Venues who had not formally adopted the Pubwatch and Police promoted schemes proposed further staff training would take place promptly to ensure venues are using best practice to look after their customers.
Councillor Peter Wildsmith, Hart District Council Portfolio Holder for Regulatory, said: “We want people to come out and enjoy the night-time economy we have in Hart safe in the knowledge that our local venues take their safety seriously. Christmas always means a busy period for venues, and it’s fantastic to see the positive outcomes from these checks for those having fun celebrating the festive period out and about.”
Officers are following up their visits by providing best practice advice and working with local venues to promote the safety of the community enjoying night-time economy venues.