Free training for night-time economy staff

Free online Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training is available to venues, security staff and taxi operators in Ipswich.

T

he training, backed by Ipswich Borough Council, is supported through Safer Streets 4 funding from the Home Office.

The initiative follows a successful bid by the council in partnership with Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, Ipswich Central and Suffolk County Council.

Produced by leisure, hospitality and night-time economy safety firm Six Till Six, the interactive online training can be completed at any time, with no limit to the number of times it can be viewed.

Following completion of the training, participants will be able to:

• Recognise and identify warning and danger signs.
• Be equipped to intervene before a situation escalates and diffuse conflict.
• Understand use of reasonable force, assertiveness, and engagement techniques.

The training also covers bystander intervention, spiking, and the Ask for Angela campaign.

Kate Price, Assistant Director of Communities at Ipswich Borough Council, explains, “We’re pleased to be offering this free safety training to licensed industry workers in Ipswich venues including bars, clubs and pubs, late night convenience stores and off-licences, plus security staff and taxi drivers.

“The training takes less than an hour to complete and can be accessed on any phone, tablet or PC which has internet access.

“We hope it will help increase confidence in those participating as well as boosting their skills to be able to support vulnerable people and, as importantly, to increase the public’s safety when out at night.”

To register and receive instructions for accessing the free training course or for further information, email community.safety@ipswich.gov.uk with a contact name, email address and the name of your venue or employer.

Find out more about Safer Streets at             www.ipswich.gov.uk/saferstreets.