A new nightlife safety scheme is being trialled in Leeds and across West Yorkshire.
The police-led initiative aims to improve the safety and security of licences premises across the UK and aims to be rolled out across the country if the pilot is successful.
The initiative includes a female safety policy and improving operational security and management practices year-on-year and comes just two weeks after Leeds City Council introduced a female safety bus to aid nighttime safety in the city centre.
The city’s participation means the whole of West Yorkshire is now supporting the Licensing Security & Vulnerability Initiative, known as Licensing SAVI, with Bradford, Wakefield, Calderdale and Kirklees already signed up.
Each of the five areas will be encouraging 60 licensed venues to take part, making a total of 300 venues in West Yorkshire, as the county leads the national roll out of the scheme throughout England and Wales.
The Licensing SAVI initiative encourages venues to improve their operational security and management practices year on year using an online self-assessment, which includes all the police and council licensing information that venues need to meet statutory licensing requirements for safety and security.
Venues can be awarded a star-rating and apply for Licensing SAVI accreditation.
Image: Michael Discenz, Unsplash
The initiative covers drink spiking and injection incidents, as well as providing guidance around issues like responsible drinking, drugs misuse, violent behaviour and safeguarding vulnerable customers.
It also contains a female safety policy for venues to adapt for their own use, as well as physical security, such as emergency exits, lighting and CCTV systems. It is believed that most measures included in Licensing SAVI can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.
The aim of the initiative is to provide safer and more secure venues for managers, staff, customers and local communities, whilst reducing the demand on Police Forces, NHS Ambulance Services and Accident and Emergency Departments. The scheme itself was developed at the request of the Home Office by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), a not-for-profit police organisation, which works alongside the Police Service throughout the UK to deter and reduce crime.
Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for resources with responsibility for Safer Leeds, said:
"Leeds is proud of its prestigious Purple Flag status in Leeds city centre, which reflects the tremendous work being undertaken day-in, day-out by a range of partners to make the Leeds night-time economy more attractive, diverse and safe for all.
“We know that sometimes people, and in particular women and girls, can feel unsafe in the city at night and so we are determined to do all we can to tackle that.
“The Licensing SAVI pilot is another opportunity to work with and encourage operators to further raise standards, so people enjoy their experience, are safe and feel safe, and return."
The scheme comes after a YouGov poll found a total of 79% of adults agreed that they want safety improvements in nightclubs whilst 76% want improvements in bars and pubs. Support for this was greatest among women with 83% wanting improved safety in nightclubs and 81% of women in bars and pubs.
More information about the Licensing SAVI initiative can be found on their website.
Feature Image- Abbie Hartley, Unsplash
Leeds
Argentina are facing disciplinary action for controversial banner after beating England
In the aftermath of England crashing out of the 2026 World Cup following their defeat in the semi-final, their opponents Argentina look set to face disciplinary action for a controversial flag held up in the wake of beating their old enemies.
For anyone who quickly turned off the telly after the Three Lions ‘ 2-1 defeat and might have missed it, the Argentinian national squad waved a makeshift sign which read: “Las Malvinas son Argentinas.”
In English, this translates to “The Falklands are Argentine.”
Referring to the historic conflict between the two countries, which took place more than four decades ago, the statement has been described as inflammatory by some, with No. 10 Downing Street having issued an official response as the team now reportedly risks punishment by FIFA.
Multiple major outlets now believe that a financial penalty at the very least is expected to be passed down for the divisive political message.
As noted by the BBC above, this is by no means the first time this has happened, and perceived ‘tragedy chanting’ among other problematic behaviour from both fan bases has been a recurring issue whenever the two sides have played since.
To put things into context, the Falklands War, which lasted for 74 days, led to the deaths of 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen, with three civilians on the islands also losing their lives.
As such, there is still plenty of bad blood between the South American country and Great Britain, with members of the nation’s leading party even weighing in with provocative and rather public posts on social media ahead of the game.
Vice President Victoria Villarruel has been among the most vocal online .
The reaction from the UK government was direct, too, with business secretary Peter Kyle telling Sky News: “I had left and gone to bed before the banner came onto the pitch, but I saw the images this morning, and of course, it’s entirely inappropriate.
“Politics should stay away from football. That is a very clear principle of the World Cup , but any consequences that come from that are now a decision for FIFA.”
Speaking to the BBC, he went on to add: “We expect FIFA to undertake an investigation into this. I think it was certain to happen because it was such an egregious violation of the rules of not having political activity as part of football.”
It’s also worth noting that Argentina have prior form for this kind of display.
The predicted outcome looks more than likely, with FIFA having previously fined £20,000 for a similar stunt before a friendly against Slovenia back in 2014.
‘La Albiceleste’ and their fellow compatriots won’t care one bit, of course, as they’re now into another World Cup final and could join Brazil, Italy and France in becoming back-to-back global champions.
Meanwhile, plenty have criticised Thomas Tuchel ‘s change in tactics and substitutions as England went more defensive after going a goal up, and the post-mortem from his first run as manager will no doubt continue in the coming days; whether he makes it consecutive tournaments or not, we’ll wait and see.
A school uniform exchange aimed at helping families across the city is returning to Leeds
Clementine Hall
The Leeds School Uniform Exchange is returning to the city bigger and better than before.
This year, the Leeds School Uniform Exchange pop-up shop at The Merrion Centre will be significantly expanded to support families across the city ahead of the new school year.
Following the success of last year’s initiative, this year’s pop-up will feature a larger retail space, more stock available to give away, and an extended schedule of opening dates throughout the school holidays.
The pop-up is run by Leeds charity Wear and Share Leeds, that promotes sustainability and community support, providing pre-loved school uniforms at no cost and with no referral required.
Image: Supplied
The initiative forms part of the growing city-wide movement led by the Leeds School Uniform Exchange, encouraging families to reuse school uniform rather than buy new.
Families are invited to drop in, browse, and take what they need. Items typically include shirts, polos, trousers, skirts, blazers and jumpers; P.E. kits; shoes and accessories (subject to availability).
All items are sorted by size and school where possible. Uniform donations are also welcome and can be dropped off at the pop-up during opening hours.
Image: Supplied
The Leeds School Uniform Exchange pop-up shop can be found on the upper balcony level within The Merrion Centre and will run on selected dates from Wednesday 22 July until 29 August from 10am-3pm.
Tracy Morgan, co-manager of Leeds School Uniform Exchange, said: “Over the years, our community's support has been incredible. By sharing pre-loved uniform, we've been able to help so many families and reduce textile waste at the same time. This year, with a bigger presence in the city centre, we hope to reach even more families.”
Debbie Binnersley, co-manager, added: “The Leeds School Uniform Exchange has already made a real difference for thousands of families, saving them hundreds of thousands of pounds. Expanding the Merrion Centre pop-up means we can go even further this summer.”
Sophie Smith -
16th March 2022 
