The delayed UEFA Euro 2020 Football Championships kick-off on Friday 11 June 2021, with England, Scotland and Wales all taking part and fans meeting up to watch the matches on TV screens in pubs, bars and restaurants.
The Euros reach their climax with the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 11 July.
The guidance below – designed for licensed premises’ managers and staff – has been produced by Licensing Security & Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI), which provides, for the first time, comprehensive and consistent advice, guidance and standards to make licensed premises safer and more secure for everyone to enjoy.
Prepare in advance
Planning is key and you can seek help from local police and council licensing teams to problem solve reasonably anticipated risk. This will allow for appropriate support if necessary and for venues to be included in response plans for the wider local area. This should also ensure that premises are able to adapt to other events nearby.
Managers and staff should also: check Premises Licence conditions to ensure plans are compliant; submit Temporary Event Notices where necessary as early as possible; be aware of key match dates, particularly those of the home nations, so you can match staffing levels against expected customer demand; regularly check on Government COVID-19 guidance relevant to your location because safety requirements may change prior to, and during, the Championships; consider ticket-only access and whether you need the additional support of SIA registered Door Supervisors; review your policies and risk assessments to ensure they are fit for purpose; record changes to operating practices in risk assessments and audit trails.
Brief your staff
Customers will be keen to socialise with people they may not have seen for some time. The Euros are a timely opportunity to remind staff of procedures and management practices.
Staff briefings are important and could include: challenge 21/25 age-identification schemes to manage underage drinkers; emergency procedures, such as how to respond to alarms and the location of fire exits; how to manage the number of customers to avoid exceeding venue capacity; ensure nominated staff know how to use your CCTV system; position TV match screens to avoid potential congestion; consider safe and controlled dispersal from your venue; inform staff of the named Designated Premises Supervisor or appropriate manager; explain the different types of vulnerability and how vulnerable people can be supported.
Additional tips include: running sensible drinking promotions and making free water available; using polycarbonate or similar drinking vessels; decanting bottles; clearing empty glasses and rubbish quickly; displaying numbers for reputable taxi companies; signposting to nearby transport hubs.
Terrorist threat
Whilst the terrorist threat is ‘substantial’, an attack remains ‘likely’. Crowded places are particularly at risk. Managers and staff will need to be vigilant for anything out of the ordinary or that doesn’t feel right no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
Call your local police on 101 or, in an emergency, 999. For further information on action to counter terrorism visit: find out what to look out for and how to keep yourself and others safe.
Licensing Security & Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI)
At the request of the Home Office, Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), a police organisation that works alongside the Police Service to deter and reduce crime, has launched Licensing SAVI, which is the most comprehensive, single source of information for licensed premises to obtain all the guidance, advice and standards they need to comply with the Licensing Act 2003 and run safe and secure venues.
To undertake the Licensing SAVI self-assessment, visit: https://lsavi.tillr.io
For further guidance to licensees about how to keep their premises safe indoors and outside in gardens and other seating areas: https://licensingsavi.com/advice-hub