The implementation of the Barred from one, barred from all policy within the Hastings liquor accord demonstrates a proactive approach to creating patron safety in licensed premises.
Hastings Liquor Accord: Barred From One, Barred From All
Strength in numbers means safer venues for all
With over one hundred members, the Hastings Liquor Accord has a strong presence in the local community and works together with businesses, council and the NSW Police to address anti-social behaviour, and alcohol-related crime in venues.
One harm-minimisation initiative has proven to be a gamechanger for the region, with Accord venues joining forces to introduce the ‘Barred from One, Barred from All’ policy.
Designed to support a zero-harm approach to patron safety, Accord members voted on the concept and then made changes to its constitution to allow the policy to be implemented.
The policy gives the Accord the power to bar a patron from all member venues, based on the severity of their actions. Venues complete an online form to request a barring as required.
While offenders can appeal their barring, the Accord committee has the right to review the appeal and determine if the patron should be able to return to venues. Individual venues still retain the right to bar patrons from their premises even if they are not included in the ‘barred from all’ campaign.
To monitor the policy, venues use an encrypted online system where they can monitor offenders on the barred list, allowing security staff to work with the Accord and local Police in real time to prevent barred patrons entering a premise.
Venues include the ‘how to’ of the policy in new staff induction programs, strengthening workers’ understanding of how to implement the policy when required.
This successful policy means the community now knows that patrons can enjoy their time in a safer environment.
- Accord members voted to introduce the new policy across all their venues
- venues work together using an online system to monitor offenders and share information in real time
- security staff participate in the implementation of the policy across venues and use the online system to create incident reports if barred patrons attempt to enter premises
- NSW Police is involved in the program and issues barring notices to offenders
- patrons are made aware of the policy via advertising on posters and coasters, and venues use social media to reach the broader community
- breaches of the policy are ranked based on severity, which provides a framework for the Accord when considering barring restrictions
- once the Accord determines that a patron will be barred from all venues, the offender can appeal. The Accord reviews each case to determine an outcome
- venue staff are trained on how the policy works during induction.
- patrons have a clear understanding of what is acceptable behaviour and the consequences of poor behaviour
- venues have seen a reduction in alcohol-related violence
- the community is safer when visiting an Accord member venue.