ArcAngel Voluntary Code of Conduct
Many venues
throughout Cheshire now have ArcAngel
Accreditation which means, they follow the codes
of conduct to try to combat alcohol-related
crime (including the sale of alcohol to people who are
underage). This means they will have stepped up to the mark to
ensure that anyone who chooses to enjoy a night out in their town
can do so safe in the knowledge that public agencies have
implemented a scheme aimed at influencing the behaviour of
everyone who sells, buys or
drinks alcohol.
Below are the minimum standards that premises
signing up to the code of conduct have to adhere to and maintain.
The standards outline what the public can expect from ArcAngel
protected premises, reassuring them that alcohol-related
crime will not be tolerated.
- All premises to agree and strictly adhere to a last entry time
of 30 minutes before closure, or earlier if a
condition on their premises licence.
- No premises will undertake any irresponsible drinks
promotions or hold any event or activity within the
premises that encourage irresponsible
drinking
- All premises will be encouraged to adhere to an
appropriate dress code for their venue and their
customers.
- All premises to adopt and use the ArcAngel 'due
diligence' books or documents of a similar standard as
approved by the police/local authority licensing officer.
- Non-alcoholic drinks, including free drinking water, to be
available at all times.
- All premises to conform with and meet
requirements of Cheshire Police and Local Authority
Licensing visit criteria.
- Noise levels – To comply with the ‘Noise at Work
Regulations’ from April 2008 and other relevant
legislation to protect both staff members and customers and to
guard against oppressive noise levels both inside and outside the
premises.
- All premises to manage the length, depth and direction
of queues ensuring that they are maintained in an
orderly fashion at agreed queuing points. Premises
should ensure sufficient staff members are employed to ensure this
in a safe and orderly manner.
- All premises to calculate an ‘operational
capacity’ linked to their Health and Safety Risk
Assessment and to employ adequate staff to ensure that this
capacity is not exceeded. A system must be in place to monitor
current capacity.
- All premises to review their
CCTV
system to ensure
that it complies with the Cheshire Constabulary
CCTV
Operating Requirements
Document. Sufficient staff shall be trained to enable the immediate
review and downloading of images when necessary for the prevention
and detection of crime. Access to
CCTV
within the private
residence may not be available immediately; the license holder will
make images available as soon as practicable.
- All door supervisors to be clearly
identifiable including where appropriate wearing
high-visibility clothing or arm bands. SIA badges shall be clearly
visible at all times.
- All participants to be active members of
PubWatch.
- Any staff working at the premises should be always
readily identifiable, preferably by the use of
uniforms or if uniforms are not worn, by the use of badges etc.
(ArcAngel badges will be provided free of charge to all
staff).
- All premises to take all necessary measures to prevent
underage sales, including supporting and promoting
Challenge 21 or Challenge 25.
- A Crime Scene Preservation Kit may be provided
to premises on an identified need basis only and training will be
provided. These must only be used as directed.
In the areas where the ArcAngel scheme is established it has had
a positive impact on the town. Residents have
commented that they have seen an increase in police
presence in the town since its introduction and underage
drinking has been dealt with effectively.
Licensees reported that ArcAngel had brought together the community
and licensed businesses in the town.
Failure to comply with the standards will result in the premises
being refused an award. Once an award has been granted, failure to
maintain the standards or breaches of the code of conduct
will result in remedial action and
possible suspension of the award. Serious and
continued breaches of the code of conduct, legislative breaches or
criminal behaviour will result in an immediate
removal of the award.