NVCO & Charity Commission advice on responding to riots and public disorder
Both the NVCO and the Charity Commission have released information for the voluntary and community sector regarding riots and public disorder. Below is a summary, but further information can be found via the following links:
Some VCS organisations will have a plan in place in the event of incidents and should draw on that plan as appropriate, plus review it in light of current events. The Charity Commission's safeguarding guidance includes a section on how to handle and report incidents and concerns, which includes advice to:
- follow your protecting people and safeguarding policies and procedures;
- act quickly, ensuring you stop or minimise any further harm or damage;
- report it to all relevant agencies and regulators when required;
- plan what to say to those involved with your charity and the media, if appropriate.
It is important to keep the security and safety of your staff, visitors and premises under regular review and consider whether further protective measures are necessary. You know your communities and areas best, and are therefore the best people to assess and respond to any increased risks.
Police and other services are actively monitoring the situation across the country and regularly assessing risks and threats and responding appropriately. Signing up to Gloucestershire Police's Community Alerts for your area can help streamline instant, and useful, information direct to whoever needs it: https://www.yourcommunityalerts.co.uk/
With significant disinformation circulating, it is important to check sources of information and rely only on official or other trusted channels of communication avoiding speculation or rumours. There is further advice from the NCVO on this video here.
Some things to consider as you review your current operating practices and safety measures could be:
- Are you operating in an area which has seen or is at risk of unrest? If so and you wish to continue to operate what changes could be made to mitigate any risk to your staff, visitors or beneficiaries?
- Have you reviewed the entry points to your property for weaknesses should there be unrest? Can you restrict access/improve secure entry to the property?
- Are different entrances available?
- Do you have alternative exit routes from the property if required? Are these clear and communicated to staff visitors on arrival?
- Should an incident occur do you have a clear procedure in place for what staff / visitors should do to stay safe? Is everyone briefed on this procedure and is it clear who will issue instructions should an incident occur?
- Do you need to have first aid trained staff or volunteers onsite?
- Have you contacted the local police force community liaison team to agree contact points for sharing of specific risks or to seek specific advice and guidance on operating?
Some risks may be specific or time-bound, such as an alert from police of a specific risk / threat based on their monitoring of social media or intelligence. You may therefore want to consider:
- Who in your organisation / how your organisation continually reviews the latest advice, guidance or alerts from police forces or other local authorities including monitoring of social media channels
- If you are at higher risk do you need a procedure at the start of each day to assess risk and a clear channel or method to communicate with staff or beneficiaries prior to start of operations on whether or not they should attend site
- Ensuring you have a clear process or nominated person responsible for acting upon any urgent alert or risk
And finally, never hesitate to call the emergency services if your staff, volunteers or beneficiaries face abuse, feel threatened, or are in danger.