The Licensing Committee of Camden Council met on Wednesday 15 July 2026 to discuss the review of the council's Statement of Gambling Policy and the accompanying Local Area Profile, as well as initiatives to enhance women's safety in the evening and night-time economy. The meeting's agenda focused on policy matters rather than specific licensing applications.

Review of the Statement of Gambling Policy 2026-2029 and Camden's Local Area Profile

The committee was scheduled to consider a report detailing the review of Camden's Statement of Gambling Policy for 2026-2029, undertaken in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005. This policy sets out how the council will exercise its licensing functions related to gambling premises. The report also covered the accompanying Camden Local Area Profile, which identifies areas and characteristics that may increase vulnerability to gambling-related harm.

The review aimed to update the policy to reflect current national guidance, clarify the role of the local area profile and operator risk assessments, and strengthen the council's response to gambling-related harm. The draft policy and updated profile were presented for comment, with a recommendation to approve a 12-week public consultation on both documents. The report highlighted that the policy aligns with Camden's broader strategies, including We Make Camden, the Evening and Night-Time Strategy, the Camden Local Plan, and the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Key changes included an updated introductory policy framework, a strengthened role for the Local Area Profile, and an updated evidence base reflecting Camden's demographics, deprivation, housing pressures, and current gambling-related harm estimates. The report noted that the policy does not aim to prevent lawful gambling but to provide a framework for assessing local risk and applying proportionate controls.

Women's Safety in the Evening and Night-Time Economy and Licensing

The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on activities within Camden's evening and night-time economy, with a specific focus on the delivery of Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training. These initiatives are part of the wider Women's Safety in the Public Realm Action Plan and reflect the Camden Community Safety Partnership's commitment to improving safety across licensed venues.

The report detailed Camden's strategy for the evening and night-time economy, which embeds women's safety as a priority. It referenced Camden's Statement of Licensing Policy (2025-30), which includes requirements for safety statements from new applicants and the use of standardised licence conditions to encourage staff training, participation in schemes like 'Ask for Angela', and provisions for safe transport signage and welfare support. The report highlighted the progress of the WAVE training programme, which aims to equip staff in licensed premises with the skills to identify vulnerability, respond to safeguarding concerns, and support individuals at risk. Since 2022, a significant number of venue training engagements have been completed. The report also provided an update on efforts to tackle drink spiking, including awareness campaigns, staff training, and the role of the Camden Safety Bus. The Safe Havens initiative, providing temporary refuge for individuals feeling unsafe, was also discussed, noting the establishment of numerous Safe Havens across the borough. The report emphasised pan-London collaboration and outlined considerations for Licensing Committee members, including how applicants have addressed women's safety, staff training, measures to tackle drink spiking, and the potential for proportionate licence conditions.