Crime Prevention

What is one of the four licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003?

• AStaff satisfaction and good working conditions in the bar
• BPrevention of crime and disorder✓
• CCollection of alcohol duty
• DMaximising the profit made by the premises from alcohol sales

Answer: Prevention of crime and disorder is one of the four licensing objectives. Premises must take steps to prevent crime, including violence, theft, and drug offences.

What is 'drink spiking'?

• AAdding extra alcohol to a drink
• BIllegally adding drugs or substances to someone's drink without their knowledge✓
• CA bartending technique for layering spirits in a single glass
• DA strong alcoholic drink

Answer: Drink spiking is when a substance (usually drugs) is added to someone's drink without their knowledge, typically with the intention to incapacitate them. It's a serious crime.

What signs might indicate someone has had their drink spiked?

• ASudden drunkenness out of proportion to drinks consumed
• BConfusion or memory loss
• CDifficulty with coordination
• DAll of the above✓

Answer: Possible signs of a spiked drink include sudden excessive intoxication, extreme drowsiness, memory gaps, disorientation, difficulty walking and unusually slurred speech — so all of these are warning signs.

What should a premises do if they suspect drink spiking has occurred?

• ARemove the drink quietly and dispose of it before anyone notices
• BDo nothing, as spiking is a matter between the customers involved
• CAsk the victim to leave the premises so other customers are not alarmed
• DContact the police and offer support to the victim✓

Answer: If drink spiking is suspected, staff should contact the police, offer support and safe space to the victim, prevent them from leaving alone, and preserve evidence if possible.

What is 'anti-social behaviour'?

• AConduct that causes harassment, alarm, or distress to others✓
• BBeing unusually friendly towards other customers standing at the bar
• CA strong type of alcohol associated with disorder in town centres
• DDrinking alone at the bar for a long period

Answer: Anti-social behaviour includes conduct that causes harassment, alarm, or distress, such as aggressive behaviour, vandalism, or threatening language in or around licensed premises.

What is the role of door staff/bouncers in crime prevention?

• ATo fill the premises to maximum capacity regardless of the licence
• BTo eject any customer they choose, for any reason, without explanation
• CTo control entry, prevent trouble, and ensure public safety✓
• DA role with no defined duties in law

Answer: Door staff are trained to control entry, identify potential troublemakers, prevent underage entry, manage aggressive customers, and maintain order and safety.

What is 'CCTV' (Closed Circuit Television)?

• AA type of licence
• BA drinks brand
• CA staff training programme covering crime prevention and conflict handling
• DVideo surveillance system used to monitor premises and prevent crime✓

Answer: CCTV systems record video surveillance of premises and are used to deter crime, gather evidence of incidents, and monitor compliance with licensing conditions.

Are CCTV systems required in all licensed premises?

• ADepends on the premises - may be required by licensing conditions or police✓
• BYes, for premises with a capacity over 500
• CNo, CCTV breaches data protection law
• DYes, the Licensing Act 2003 makes CCTV mandatory for licensed premises

Answer: CCTV is not universally mandatory but is increasingly common. Many premises have CCTV as a licence condition, and it's recommended for crime prevention.

What is 'drug awareness' in the context of licensed premises?

• AKnowledge of drug types and recognition of drug-related behaviour✓
• BThe sale of controlled drugs on the premises
• CA subject of no relevance to licensed premises or the staff working there
• DAwareness of heroin use only, since other drugs are not a licensing concern

Answer: Drug awareness training helps staff recognise signs of drug use or dealing in the premises, such as furtive behaviour, visible drug paraphernalia, or white powder residue.

What should you do if you suspect drug dealing is occurring in the premises?

• AIgnore it, as what customers do between themselves is not your concern
• BReport immediately to management and police✓
• CAsk them to leave quietly and say nothing further to anyone about it
• DDo nothing unless a customer makes a formal written complaint

Answer: Drug dealing is illegal and poses serious risks. Staff must report suspicions to management and police immediately. The premises has a responsibility under the licensing objectives to prevent crime.

What is 'theft' in the context of licensed premises?

• AAccidentally breaking a glass or a bottle while clearing tables after service
• BFree samples
• CStaff meals
• DUnlawfully taking property, including glasses, bottles, or till money✓

Answer: Theft in licensed premises can include customer property theft, staff theft, till fraud, or theft of the premises' property such as glasses and bottles.

What measures can prevent theft in premises?

• ACCTV monitoring
• BStaff training and awareness
• CGood inventory management
• DAll of the above✓

Answer: Effective theft prevention combines CCTV, staff training on spotting suspicious behaviour, clear policies, good inventory control, and secure till procedures.

What is 'violence' in licensed premises?

• APhysical assault, threats, or aggressive behaviour✓
• BFriendly banter and joking between regular customers at the bar
• CAny disagreement between customers about the bill or the queue
• DMusic played at a volume that annoys neighbouring residents

Answer: Violence includes actual physical assault, threats of violence, or aggressive behaviour intended to harm or intimidate others. It's a serious crime prevention concern.

How can premises reduce violence and aggression?

• ATrain staff in conflict de-escalation, refuse service to aggressive customers, employ trained door staff, and monitor CCTV✓
• BOnly lock doors
• CViolence prevention is optional, since the police are responsible for disorder outside
• DServe more alcohol

Answer: Violence reduction includes staff training in conflict resolution, clear refusal policies, trained door staff, environmental design, and CCTV monitoring.

What is 'late-night levy'?

• AA charge on premises open late to contribute to managing late-night disorder✓
• BA staff payment
• CAn additional tax added to the price of every alcoholic drink sold after midnight
• DA discount for nightclubs

Answer: The late-night levy is a charge on premises open late (typically after midnight) to contribute to funding the police and councils managing late-night disorder.

What is 'public order' legislation?

• ALicensing law only, as it applies to the retail sale of alcohol
• BThe laws governing road traffic
• CLaws setting out how customers should queue at a bar or door
• DLaws preventing breach of the peace and public disorder✓

Answer: Public order legislation prevents conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace or public disorder, including aggressive behaviour, fighting, or obstruction of public spaces.

What is 'incident reporting'?

• AKeeping incidents within the team, so the premises licence is not put at risk
• BOnly for police
• CRecording and reporting serious events such as violence, theft, or injury to management✓
• DOptional

Answer: Incident reporting is the process of documenting and reporting serious events (violence, theft, injuries, police calls) to management. This creates records and helps identify patterns.

What should an incident report include?

• ADate, time, description of incident, people involved, witness details, and actions taken✓
• BWhatever the manager considers relevant on the day of the incident
• CJust a brief comment
• DOnly if serious

Answer: A good incident report includes date, time, detailed description, people involved, witnesses, injuries, police involvement, and actions taken, allowing for pattern analysis.

What is 'breach of the peace'?

• ARefusing to leave the premises when asked to by staff
• BPlaying music at an excessive volume
• CA breach of one of the conditions attached to the premises licence
• DConduct that causes a real and imminent risk of violence or alarm✓

Answer: Breach of the peace occurs when conduct causes real and imminent risk of violence or puts someone in genuine fear. It's a common reason for police intervention in licensed premises.

What is the role of the police in licensed premises?

• AResponding to emergency calls only, since licensing is a council matter
• BRunning the bar
• CEnforcement of licensing law, investigation of crime, and prevention of disorder✓
• DUninvolved

Answer: Police are key stakeholders in licensing, enforcing the law, investigating crime, and working with premises to prevent disorder and meet licensing objectives.

Can you refuse service to someone based on their appearance or group?

• ANo, refusing on grounds of appearance is unlawful discrimination
• BYes, if you believe they pose a crime risk✓
• CNo, a paying customer has a legal right to be served
• DYes, but you have to explain the refusal in writing

Answer: You can refuse service if you have good reason related to the licensing objectives, such as preventing crime or disorder. However, you must not discriminate illegally based on protected characteristics.

What is a 'banned customer'?

• AA term with no legal meaning, as premises cannot bar customers
• BAnyone with a criminal conviction
• CAny customer whom a member of bar staff personally dislikes
• DA customer banned by the premises due to past misconduct✓

Answer: Premises can ban customers who have caused trouble, behaved violently, dealt drugs, or breached rules. Bans can be temporary or permanent and should be recorded.

What is 'security vetting'?

• ATraining staff to recognise and report crime on the premises
• BID checking only
• CBackground checks on staff to ensure they're trustworthy and not pose a crime risk✓
• DMedical checks

Answer: Security vetting involves background checks on door staff, managers, and other key staff to identify any criminal history that might pose a risk to licensing objectives.

What is 'environmental design' in crime prevention?

• AOnly for government buildings
• BDecorating the premises to a high standard so customers behave better
• CDesign and layout features that deter crime, such as good lighting, sightlines, and secure areas✓
• DIrrelevant to crime

Answer: Environmental design includes good lighting, clear sightlines, removal of hiding spots, secure till areas, and furniture arrangement that deters crime and helps staff monitor the premises.

What is 'safeguarding' in licensed premises?

• AProtecting children and vulnerable people from harm, exploitation, and abuse✓
• BThe safe storage of alcohol stock in a locked cellar kept away from customers and staff
• CInsurance
• DSecurity cameras

Answer: Safeguarding means protecting children and vulnerable people from harm, exploitation, and abuse. Premises have a duty to be aware of safeguarding concerns and report them appropriately.