Iconic venue Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, Wales, is one of the latest licensed premises to undertake the Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI) safety and security assessment, achieving five stars, the highest grade possible.
Wales Millennium Centre is a renowned arts and cultural venue located in Cardiff Bay. Opened in 2004, it serves as a national home for the performing arts in Wales, hosting a diverse range of performances including opera, ballet, theatre and contemporary music. The centre is particularly notable as the home of the Welsh National Opera. Its iconic structure and vibrant programme have made it a focal point for cultural life in Wales, attracting visitors from across the UK and beyond.
The venue recently demonstrated its commitment to staff and customer safety, receiving a National Policing Award for Safety, achieving this accolade after successfully taking part in the Licensing SAVI assessment.
“Wales Millennium Centre are proud to have gained a five-star accreditation by supporting and collaborating with The Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative,” said Wes Morgan, security operations manager at Wales Millennium Centre. “Being an iconic venue that yearly sees an average of 1.2 million people experience world-class art and performances under our roof, the safety and security of our customers is paramount and through the Licensing SAVI accreditation we can continue to provide a safe and secure environment for all.”
Sergeant Justin Hardwick of South Wales Police Licensing added: “With Cardiff having a growing number of licensed premises achieving a Licensing SAVI accreditation, it’s absolutely right to recognise the hard work that those managing and working at venues undertake to maximise the safety of visitors to the area, customers and staff. It’s great to see venues reviewing and improving their safety and security policies and procedures which has led to safer environments for their customers and staff.”
“South Wales Police has an excellent working relationship with licensed premises and we hope to see more accredited venues across the city in the near future,” Sergeant Hardwick continued. “We know how hard Wesley and the team at the Wales Millennium Centre have worked to ensure that safety, security and reducing vulnerability is a primary operating factor at their venue, which is exactly what we’d expect from such a world-renowned venue – they are fully deserving of their five-star accreditation.”
Available to licensees as an online self-assessment, Licensing SAVI covers topics including responsible drinking, drugs misuse, preventing violent behaviour and safeguarding vulnerable customers, through to preventing opportunist theft and improving physical security, via such elements as lighting and CCTV systems. Most measures included in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.
Licensing SAVI provides consistent standards, guidance and advice that licensed premises in Wales and England need to meet the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and promote the four licensing objectives: prevention of public nuisance; prevention of crime and disorder; protection of children from harm; and public safety. Licensing SAVI also includes a non-assessed guidance section on counter-terrorism.
“We at Licensing SAVI are absolutely delighted that an iconic national venue – the Wales Millennium Centre – has undertaken the Licensing SAVI accreditation and achieved a five-star award,” said Mark Morgan of Licensing SAVI. “It’s clear to see from visiting that safety and security at the venue is a priority. Well done to all involved for their contribution to safer socialising.”
Licensing SAVI was developed at the request of the UK government Home Office by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), which works alongside the police service to deter and reduce crime. As well as providing safer and more secure venues for managers, staff, customers and local communities, it also seeks to reduce demand on police forces, NHS ambulance services, and accident and emergency departments.
Recent research on the impact of Licensing SAVI by South Wales Police found that in venues that had undertaken the assessment 12 months prior, there were significant reductions in crime across the night-time economy, with a 30% reduction in sexual assaults, 30% reduction in assault with injury, and 23% reduction in drunk and disorderly crimes.
Licensing SAVI aims to support the licensing trade and is backed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Project Servator, a police-led vigilance scheme to deter terrorist attacks at crowded places. Licensing SAVI said its staff were really pleased to see evidence of this in place during a recent visit to Wales Millennium Centre.
