Security Industry Authority promote safer security at Reading's student haunts

On Saturday 8 December, the Security Industry Authority's (SIA) South East Partnerships and Interventions team and Thames Valley Police called at Reading's top student pubs and clubs. They shared best-practice guidance on safer physical intervention for door supervisors as a reminder of how to keep their clients and themselves safe.

The aims of the event were to promote the importance of safer restraint and reduce any possible violence during the festive season.

The initiative marks the Reading launch of a campaign to improve students' safety during the Christmas party season. The SIA team shared a poster and leaflets on Safer Physical Intervention for Door Supervisors with four top student pubs. It features guidance and illustrations of best practice for safer restraint. This is intended as a quick reminder for Door Supervision licence holders and relates to the training they received in physical intervention.

Kevin Young, the SIA's Regional Investigations Manager, South Region, says that the initiative is a positive way to promote safer working practices at venues that are likely to encounter violence.

"We want students and young people to have a great night out and go home this Christmas unharmed. It also ensures the safety of the licensed door supervisors who work at these venues, the majority of whom do a very good job in challenging circumstances. This builds on an existing partnership between SIA and Thames Valley Police to reduce the levels of violence as a result of alcohol consumption at Reading's nightspots."

The initiative is supported by Thames Valley Police (Reading) and the University of Reading.

In addition the campaign seeks to persuade businesses and door supervisors in Reading's night time economy to report incidents to the police so that the SIA can get an accurate picture of the level of violence that takes place against students and door supervisors.