Security Industry Authority promote safer security at Reading's student haunts

Tomorrow night, Saturday 8 December, the Security Industry Authority's (SIA) South East Partnerships and Interventions team and Thames Valley Police will be calling at Reading's top student pubs and clubs. They will share best-practice guidance on safer physical intervention for door supervisors as a reminder of how to keep their clients and themselves safe.

The aims of the event are to promote the importance of safer restraint and reduce any possible violence during the festive season.

The initiative marks the Reading launch of a campaign to improve students' safety during the Christmas party season. The SIA team will share a poster and leaflets on Safer Physical Intervention for Door Supervisors with four top student pubs. It features guidance and illustrations of best practice for safer restraint. This is intended as a quick reminder for Door Supervision licence holders and relates to the training they received in physical intervention.

Kevin Young, the SIA's Regional Investigations Manager, South Region, says that the initiative is a positive way to promote safer working practices at venues that are likely to encounter violence.

"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.

In addition the campaign seeks to persuade businesses and door supervisors in Reading's night time economy to report incidents to the police so that the SIA can get an accurate picture of the level of violence that takes place against students and door supervisors. Incidents can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or via our website.

To download a copy of the poster here 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.

 The *National Crime Statistics reveals that victims of assault are usually male (2.1% compared with 1.3% of women) and they account for a larger proportion of victims of violence with injury (53% compared with women at 47%) and they are aged between 16-24. Incidents of violence increases when alcohol is involved.

Ends

 Notes to Editors:

1. By law, security operatives working under contract must hold and display a valid SIA licence. Information about SIA enforcement and penalties can be found on the website.

 2.       The nature of violent crime in England and Wales: year ending March 2017. Office of National Statistics published 8 February 2018

Definition of violent crime: "All violence" includes violence with injury (wounding, assault with minor injury), and violence without injury.

Further information:

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA's main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.

For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit:www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk. The SIA is also onFacebook (Security Industry Authority), Linked InandTwitter (@SIAuk).

Media enquiriesonlyplease contact:

Security Industry Authority

0300 123 9869

media.enquiries@sia.gsi.gov.uk