Best Bar None scheme gains sheriff’s support
21/08/08
A scheme aimed at reducing drink-fuelled city centre crime has met with the approval of an Aberdeen sheriff.
Sheriff Douglas Cusine said any scheme which helps to cut alcohol related crime in the city centre should be applauded and supported.
The Best Bar None scheme, which was re-launched earlier this month, is a partnership project involving the city council, Grampian Police, and the Joint Alcohol and Drugs Action Team (JADAT). It was developed to encourage a higher standard of management of licensed premises, and to make them safer and more welcoming.
The scheme, which is now in its third year, focuses on public safety and customer care, and gives each participating licensed venue an opportunity to prove that it meets a certain standard of operation, set in consultation with the government and alcohol industry at a national level.
Sheriff Douglas Cusine said: “Aberdeen city centre has gained an unfortunate reputation for drink-fuelled violence and sheriffs have often commented on the problem, which will not be tolerated.
“I am regularly faced with young men and women in the dock, many of them first offenders, who have acted completely out of character while drunk and inflicted serious harm on others. I am often left with no choice but to send these people, many of whom have led otherwise responsible lives, to prison.
“That is particularly unfortunate because such a sentence really can have a devastating effect on someone’s life – but so can drunken thuggery and violence. As a sheriff, I have a duty to reflect the impact of such crime.
“The sheriffs in Aberdeen have repeatedly said that such behaviour will not be tolerated, and we continue in that stance.”
Sheriff Cusine added: “If the Best Bar None scheme can help to reduce the amount of drink-fuelled crime in Aberdeen, make the city safer, and cut the number of otherwise respectable people acting out of character and damaging others, then it should be applauded and supported. “
Between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008, Grampian Police recorded a total of 3,053 crimes of an antisocial or violent nature in Aberdeen city centre. A total of 1,732 of the offenders involved in those crimes were either drunk or had been drinking. That is an increase of almost 21% from the previous year.
Best Bar None is open to all pubs, bars and nightclubs in the city centre. Awards are allocated at three levels within each category – bronze (accredited), silver, and gold – and one venue in each is identified as best in category.
Inspections are carried out at each participating venue during September and early October. The inspectors focus on the five primary areas laid out in the new Licensing Bill:
• Prevention of crime and disorder;
• Public safety;
• Protection of the environment;
• Promotion of public health;
• Protection of children from harm.
The essential criteria looked for by the inspectors include: a door policy; search policy, drug recovery and seizure policy; alcohol promotion policy; CCTV coverage, risk assessments; security briefings and reviews; glass and bottle collections; staff training, incident management, crime prevention strategy; first aid; fire procedures; and lighting.
Each venue is allocated a score based on 18 essential key criteria, including those outlined above, with bonus points awarded to venues which demonstrate a higher level of achievement or show innovation in terms of best practise.
Licensed premises which demonstrate a passing score in all of the key criteria are accredited and given a bronze award and certificate. Higher scoring venues get a silver award, and go forward to be considered for a gold award, which is given to the best venue in each category.
Best Bar None has a range of benefits for licensees, including access to professional advice on community safety, crime reduction, and business continuity issues for management and staff. It will also help them to focus on the key elements of the Licensing Bill in preparation for submitting an operating plan demonstrating how they will address the five primary areas laid out in the new Bill.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 5 September. The awards ceremony will take place at The Patio Hotel on 11 November.
Further details and entry forms can be obtained by calling Safer Aberdeen programme manager Emily Ferrie on 01224 523367.
If you have any queries regarding this, or any other news story, please contact Aberdeen City Council on: 08456 080910.
