AFC Telford United's New Bucks Head Stadium Shows Commitment To Safety
New Bucks Head Stadium, the home of AFC Telford United, has demonstrated its commitment to staff and customer safety, receiving a National Policing Award for Safety.
Opened in 2003 with a 5500-supporter capacity, New Bucks Head Stadium achieved this accolade after successfully taking part in the Licensing Security and Vulnerability Initiative (Licensing SAVI), a police-led initiative to improve the safety and security of its premises for the benefit of staff, customers, and local communities.
The stadium’s development was accompanied by the construction of the AFC Telford United Learning Centre, located behind the Jack Bentley Terrace, which houses the club offices, bar facilities, meeting spaces and education rooms.
With the football stadium itself and its various multi-purpose spaces, New Bucks Head welcomes large numbers of visitors every year. As such, customer, staff and community safety is at the forefront of business for all at the venue.
Available as an on-line self-assessment, Licensing SAVI brings together all the information that licensed premises need to comply with, in order to achieve a star-rating and have the opportunity to apply for Licensing SAVI accreditation and an award.
Ian Shuttleworth, Licensing SAVI, commented: “I’m delighted that AFC Telford United’s New Bucks Head Stadium, including The West Stand Conference and Events Venue, becomes only the second sports stadium in the country to achieve our 5* Licensing SAVI accreditation, our highest level of award.
“I really enjoyed working in partnership with Trevor Davies from Telford and Wrekin Council’s Night-Time Economy Team and Jayne and the team at the New Bucks Head, in identifying areas that they were already performing really well and helping to identify some small areas for improvement.
“Partnership working is key in helping licensed venues to improve safety standards and the feeling of safety, raising awareness through staff training of key issues like women’s safety, drugs and all forms of discrimination and vulnerability. Well done, and congratulations must go to all involved at AFC Telford United!”
Licensing SAVI was developed in partnership with the 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 & Emergency Departments.
Licensing SAVI covers critical issues like responsible drinking, drugs misuse, violent behaviour and safeguarding vulnerable customers through to preventing opportunist theft and improving physical security, such as lighting and CCTV.
The first police award of its kind, 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.
