Pubs and nightclubs in Swindon have teamed up to help make customers feel safer at night.

Hospitality venues in Old Town and the town centre are working with Wiltshire Police, Swindon Pub Watch, andthe borough council’s licensing team to improve security in licenced premises.

Popular nightpots like Kioki, Tree, Power Lounge, Star Bar, the Wyvern Tavern, Woodys Bar, The Rolleston Arms, Rudi’s, Mackenzies, Old Town Laundry Bar, and The Ridge in West Swindon are among the 20 businesses that have completed Licensing, Security and Vulnerability Initiative training and achieved the maximum five-star rating.

Offered free by the council, it provides information on effective management practices and operational security as well as some straightforward safety measures, many of which can be introduced quickly and at little or no cost.

It builds on a free programme of welfare and vulnerability awareness training organised by the local authority to equip bar and venue staff with the ability to identify alcohol-related vulnerability, including how to spot harassment and what steps to take to help prevent customers from coming to harm.

Dozens of bars, clubs and other licensed premises in Swindon have already signed up to the Ask for Angela scheme, which allows people who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened to ask for help by approaching venue staff and using the “Angela” code word.

A trained member of staff can then help them reunite with a friend, escort them to a licensed vehicle, or call security or police. These venues have undertaken Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement training.

Coun Steve Heyes said: “We need to do all we can to ensure that everyone, especially women and girls, feel safe at night, whether they are working, travelling or enjoying a great night out here in Swindon.

“The council, working with our partners, is committed to making our night-time economy as safe as possible and the training we have provided to licensed premises is an important step in helping to achieve this aim.

“I’d like to thank all the businesses who have taken part in the training so far and would encourage any other businesses who would like to find out more about the training opportunities to get in touch with us.”

Swindon Pub Watch chair Justin Britchford, from MECA, added: “We have a fantastic, thriving night-time economy in Swindon and we want to encourage local people to experience what we have to offer.

“Part of that involves ensuring that our bars, clubs, restaurants and other entertainment venues are safe and welcoming to customers.

"The training has been a great tool to help us focus on some of the finer points of making our venues safer and more appealing to those looking to enjoy a night out with friends or family.

“I hope this helps to reassure anyone who has previously felt unsafe that we are doing everything we can to make Swindon a safe and welcoming place at night.”

Last year, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner launched the Safety at Night Charter after survey results revealed that just three per cent of people felt safe when out and about at night.

By voluntarily signing the charter, businesses agree to proactively tackle the issue of safety within the night-time economy and are supported by their local PCSOs, safeguarding partnerships, Wiltshire Police, and their local authority licensing officers.

Swindon Licensing Officer for Wiltshire Police, John Barker, said: “It’s great to see the licensees in Swindon working with local authorities to promote safety in their venues to welcome more people to come out to enjoy what Swindon has to offer in the night-time economy.”

Businesses who would like to find out more should email Licensing@swindon.gov.uk