Conference 2020
Introduction
Our 17th National Conference was held at The Jurys Inn, Cardiff, where a total of 172 delegates attended. Delegates were again able to listen and contribute to updates on a range of relevant and topical issues. They were also able to network with other delegates and consider taking with them various tasks for discussion with their colleagues and partner agencies. Those attending, again received a comprehensive delegate pack.
Attendee’s included representatives from Pubwatches, Local Authority Trading Standards and Licensing Departments, Community Safety Officers, Business Improvement Districts, Police Forces, Association of Town and City Centre Managers, Chambers of Commerce, licensing trade associations, pub companies, training companies, licensing consultants, the legal profession, security specialists, a relevant Government Department and some charities.
Speakers comprised:
- Steve Baker, Chair, National Pubwatch
- Chief Constable Matt Jukes QPM, South Wales Police
- Tim Martin, Chairman, JD Wetherspoon
- Heidi Portrey, Wise Mind Training
Unfortunately, Jack Sargeant AM, Chairman of the Cross-Party Group for Beer and Pubs in the Welsh Assembly, was unable to attend at the last minute.
This year, three separate awards were presented to individuals, the third being a new addition to the other two. They were:
- the National Pubwatch ‘Award of Merit’, in recognition of work carried out in support of a local Pubwatch
- the ‘Malcolm Eidmans Award’, in memory of our former Secretary
- the Bravery and Meritorious Conduct Award, which speaks for itself
Conference Programme
Keynote Speakers:
Steve Baker
As chair of National Pubwatch, Steve welcomed all present to our 17th annual Conference in our 23rd year. He gave a particular welcome to our President, Lord Kennedy of Southwark. Steve commented about the continuance of our Annual Pubwatch award sponsored again this year by Wetherspoons and thanked them for their continued support, He also mentioned the other sponsors and talked about a new Pubwatch at Heathrow Airport and how he is hoping to extend that to other airports in the country. He also commented about the tragic murder of Christian Thornton in his Pub last Year, Christian was the chair of Widnes PW and his killer is to be sentenced later in the week. (Editorial comment: he received a life sentence of at least 28 years)
Matt Jukes QPM – Chief Constable South Wales Police
Matt welcomed delegates to Cardiff, outlined the range and number of licensed premises in Cardiff which is a multicultural city with particular challenges in relation to large scale sporting and entertainment events at the Millennium stadium. More than half South Wales’ population is to be found in Cardiff and there are over 4000 licensed premises of all types. He expressed his support for Pubwatch, which he commented was a valuable tool to assist the local licensed trade community making their premises safer places to work, visit and socialise. He mentioned Bridgend, where Pubwatch uses a mobile phone app to help identify banned persons.
Tim Martin – Chair JD Wetherspoon
Tim outlined the number of his premises and the long-standing support for Pubwatch. . He gave a potted history of his experience in the licensed trade over the last 40 years from when he opened his own pub to the Wetherspoons estate of over 800 pubs and hotels across the country. He welcomed Pubwatch and commented that if he were Prime Minister “everywhere would have a Pubwatch” as he felt it was so effective and supported licensees who often felt vulnerable and isolated. Pubwatch brings the licensed community together
Heidi Portrey – Wise Minds Training
Heidi outlined the concern for persons suffering mental health issues, and the concern about the high level of deaths by suicide. There is a reluctance by sufferers to talk to others or otherwise seek support. She introduced some indicators to look for, such as in staff and also customers, encourage conversation with them and be aware of avenues for help.
Awards:
National Pubwatch Award of Merit
This ‘Award of Merit’, sponsored by Scannet, is now in its tenth year. It is given to those people who National Pubwatch feel have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their local scheme. The trophy was presented this year by Lord Kennedy.
Amanda Newberry, Chair of Salisbury Pubwatch
For more information see https://www.nationalpubwatch.org.uk/pubwatch-awards/pubwatch-award-of-merit/#amandanewbery
Malcolm Eidmans Award
The Malcolm Eidmans Award, sponsored this year by David Dadds LLP, is now in its eighth year. This Award is in memory of our former Secretary, and is given to a member of police staff who has demonstrated considerable commitment to supporting local Pubwatch schemes. The trophy was presented this year by Lord Kennedy
Kate Purves, Crime Prevention Officer, Northamptonshire Police
For more information see https://www.nationalpubwatch.org.uk/pubwatch-awards/police-staff/#katepurves
Bravery and Meritorious Conduct Award
There followed a new award – Bravery and Meritorious Conduct Award. This, in fact, was presented to two deserving persons who were involved in separate incidents, by Lord Kennedy.
Grayson Underhill – Head Door Supervisor, Thelka Night Club, Bristol
Barry James – Head Door Supervisor of the Sir Henry Tate, Chorley.
For more information see https://www.nationalpubwatch.org.uk/pubwatch-awards/bravery-and-meritorious-conduct-award/
Delegates were also able to attend three breakout Sessions:
Practical interactive Workshop on Knife Attack
Some actors assisted facilitators in introducing delegates to entering a club where they had to be vetted by door staff. There then followed a knife incident inside following an argument. Delegates were the introduced to how the victim was treated, calling the emergency services and dealing with the customers. This was followed by how to preserve the scene of this crime.
Delegates were then introduced to Citizen Aid, which was established following tragic terrorist incidents in the UK in 2017. It asks ‘what would you do if you were there?’ It has introduced a range of information for the public including a free App covering relevant first aid following multiple casualties and a pocket guide. Much of this information has been learnt from conflict. Members of the public should try to stay safe whilst saving lives, if possible. That does not discount the National Chief Police Council advice to ‘Run, Hide, Tell’
Safer Physical Restraint by Door Supervisors
Tony Hoyland of the SIA and Doug Melia from DefendSolutions Ltd explained the role of door staff and how they are trained to prevent knives and other bladed articles from entering licensed premises. Physical interventions are a big issue, where the awareness of risk of serious injury to another is imperative. Their training now includes their legal position on how to use reasonable force and intervene safely.
SIA Physical Intervention Presentation Cardiff 2020
Community Protection Warnings/Notices and Pubwatch Bans
Helen Flyng, of South Gloucestershire Council explained that where there is a history of anti-social behaviour from the same persons, in addition to licensees having the power to ban that person from their premises, whether through common law or through a Pubwatch ban, the Government has provided other alternatives. A Community Protection Warning can be issued by the local authority to offenders over the age of 16. If the warning is breached then the provision can be escalated to a Community Protection Notice, which then makes any breaches a criminal offence, persistent breaches of that will lead to a Community Protection Order. She looked at some case studies to demonstrate how effective this has been in her area.
Personnel for 18 display stands were able to attend. They again comprised some of our sponsors, national organisations, training companies, legal profession, trade and local initiatives. All displays were well attended by delegates.
The committee again really wish to thank all the sponsors for supporting this conference. They include the Security Industry Authority, British Beer and Pub Association, Stonegate Pub Company, JD Wetherspoon, Diageo GB, Punch Taverns, Deltic Group, Fullers, McMullen, Unite the Union, Scannet OBG/ID Scan, Star Pubs and Bars, Ei Group PLC, Licensing Defence Barristers and Dadds Solicitors. We would also like to thank the speakers, Breakout Session facilitators and all the other contributors for sharing their knowledge, experience and expertise. Additionally, we thank the staff at The Jurys Inn for their assistance and support in ensuring the smooth running of this conference. Finally, we naturally wish to thank all the delegates who attended.
Conclusion
The feedback received indicated this conference was again a success. We will soon be planning for 2021, your comments are always appreciated, thus, if you have any subject matter you would like to see included within our next Conference, please get in touch.