With bookings for the Safe Place Project closing on Monday 3rd March 2025, Guernsey Police is encouraging licensed venues to sign up to see their staff trained in recognising, preventing, and responding to unacceptable behaviour.
The Project, which is being funded by SafetyNet and the Social Investment Fund, will see Guernsey venues become the first outside the UK to become certified. 150 bar staff representing 17 local venues are currently signed up, alongside Guernsey and Jersey Police officers.
Guernsey Police Deputy Chief Officer Phil Breban said: “The Safe Place Project has the full support of Guernsey Police, and we would strongly encourage all venues in Guernsey which work in the nighttime economy to take part. The management and staff of a number of local licenced premises have already committed to supporting this initiative, intended to make their premises a safer environment for their customers. However, there remains a small number of premises who have yet to commit. I urge these premises to partake in this free training that will support their customers and enable their staff to be able to respond appropriately. We will be ensuring our officers are involved in this training to take away as much learning as we can.
“A key tenant of the national policing strategy to tackle violence against women and girls has been to create safe places, and while one of the focuses we have put into this area has been high visibility policing in St Peter Port, there is a shared responsibility here: if bars, clubs and pubs have their own measures in place and properly trained staff, their customers can feel safer and offences are far less likely to take place. If they do, victims can then get the proper help and support they need.”
The training will be delivered by the egalitarian, a UK charity which has worked with the Home Office, universities, police forces, workplaces, festival organisers, and licensed venues across the UK. Topics covered include how to be an effective ally and understanding, identifying, and responding to spiking, sexual violence, and other unacceptable behaviours.
The Project helps to create environments where customers and staff feel safer, and increased trust and confidence to help enhance the reputations of participating venues.
Participating venues/groups at the time of writing are: The Vraiceaters Tavern, The Imperial Hotel, St Pierre Park Hotel, St James, Slaughterhouse, Sarnia Hotels, Rebellion Pizza, Randy Paddle, Prince of Wales, Pinquay, La Runion, Good Rebel, Golden Lion, Fermain Valley Hotel, Bar Bar Jay, Bad Habits, and Amigos.
SafetyNet Chairwoman, Poppy Murray, said participation in the Project will benefit venues, customers, and the community alike.
“This initiative is a landmark moment in the journey towards safer nights out for everyone and will position Guernsey as a jurisdiction which cares about the safety of tourists and visitors on nights out,” she said.
“Alongside the support from venues and the public, we have also seen fantastic support from local companies confirming that they will pledge to prioritise certified venues for their corporate events. SafetyNet will be formalising a pledge process once the Project has been completed. We hope that certified venues will see increased footfall and event bookings as a result of their commitment to enhancing safety.”
