Richard Bunch

Richard Bunch is a highly experienced licensing, crime prevention and security consultant at Complete Licensing. A former Metropolitan Police Licensing Sergeant for the City of Westminster, Richard brings around three decades of policing experience to licensing applications, premises reviews, compliance assessments and expert witness reports.

During his police career, Richard worked across uniformed policing, criminal investigation, major crime, licensing enforcement and crime prevention. His practical knowledge of the licensed trade enables him to identify operational weaknesses, recommend workable improvements and help operators demonstrate that the licensing objectives can be promoted effectively.

Metropolitan Police and Sussex Police career

Richard served with Sussex Police and the Metropolitan Police until his retirement in April 2016, when he received a Certificate of Exemplary Service.

He worked in numerous uniformed and detective positions, including divisional drug squads, Sussex Police Corporate Development, Sussex Unsolved Crime Investigations and the Metropolitan Police Westminster Homeless Unit.

As a qualified detective, Richard completed specialist training at the National Criminal Investigation Centre in Maidstone. His professional qualifications and responsibilities included Advanced Interviewer, Family Liaison Officer, Exhibits Officer, Disclosure Officer and Crown Prosecution Service Charging Standards Key Decision Maker.

Richard also spent two years working at Charing Cross Police Station custody suite, giving him extensive experience of evidence, charging decisions, criminal investigations and police procedure.

Crime prevention in London’s West End

Richard served as Crime Operations Manager for the Metropolitan Police team responsible for Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street — one of the busiest retail, hospitality and visitor destinations in Europe.

He co-authored Operation Blizzard, a major seasonal policing initiative designed to address increased crime and public-safety pressures in London’s West End during the autumn and Christmas trading periods.

The Metropolitan Police operation brought together police resources, businesses and Business Improvement Districts to tackle theft, violence and other offences affecting visitors, employees and retailers. The existence and continued use of Operation Blizzard were documented by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, while later Christmas operations were reported by the Evening Standard and Westminster Extra.

Westminster Police Licensing Sergeant

In his final police position, Richard was the Licensing Sergeant responsible for the City of Westminster — an area containing more than 6,000 licensed premises and one of the UK’s most complex night-time economies.

He supervised police licensing work involving pubs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, casinos, entertainment venues and major events. His responsibilities included assessing licence applications, investigating incidents, negotiating proportionate licence conditions and preparing evidence for local authority licensing hearings.

Official Westminster licensing records demonstrate Richard’s practical and proportionate approach. In one Westminster City Council licensing representation, Richard identified a specific area of concern, worked with the applicant to agree appropriate conditions and confirmed that the police representation could be withdrawn if those safeguards were accepted.

This ability to combine enforcement experience with constructive negotiation is central to Richard’s work at Complete Licensing.

Featured on Oxford Street Revealed

Richard’s licensing enforcement work appeared in the BBC documentary series Oxford Street Revealed.

The programme followed Sergeant Richard Bunch on a licensing patrol in the Oxford Circus area, where he examined premises licences, CCTV arrangements, security procedures, customer capacity and potential noise problems. A transcript of the episode documents Richard’s role, and the episode can also be viewed through Tubi.

His appearance provides a valuable public insight into the thorough and practical approach he now brings to clients of Complete Licensing.

Major crime and bravery commendations

Richard’s experience extends well beyond licensing. During his service, he worked on serious and major crime investigations and received two commendations for bravery.

He also received a merit award for his role in helping to recover a kidnapping victim while serving with the Sussex Police Major Crime Team.

This investigative background allows Richard to evaluate evidence carefully, conduct effective interviews, identify inconsistencies and produce clear, evidence-based professional opinions.

Independent licensing reports and expert evidence

Following his retirement from policing, Richard became an independent licensing and crime prevention consultant with Complete Licensing.

He conducts detailed premises inspections, night-time observations and compliance assessments. He also analyses crime statistics, incident histories, security arrangements, dispersal procedures, CCTV systems and the potential effect of premises within cumulative impact areas.

A publicly available expert witness report prepared for Hackney Council proceedings illustrates the depth of his work. The report includes site observations, crime analysis, consideration of cumulative impact policy and a formal acknowledgement of his overriding duty as an expert witness.

Richard understands that expert evidence must be independent, balanced and supported by facts. His reports do not simply advocate for a client: they identify risks honestly and recommend practical measures capable of addressing them.

Helping licensed premises improve

Richard has advised premises facing serious licensing and security concerns. His work can include assessing previous failings, reviewing door-supervision arrangements, recommending management changes and presenting evidence about the effectiveness of improved operating procedures.

During the licence review concerning the Kings Bull in Barking, Richard openly identified shortcomings in the premises’ previous security operation and explained the reforms required. After considering the evidence and amended conditions, the licensing committee concluded that revocation would be disproportionate and permitted the premises to resume trading. The official licensing decision records the committee’s findings.

This reflects Richard’s direct but constructive approach: recognising genuine problems while helping responsible operators implement credible and lasting improvements.

Association of British Investigators

Richard is a full member of the Association of British Investigators, the UK’s leading professional body for investigators.

His listed professional services include due diligence, interviewing, compliance work and test purchasing. Membership supports Richard’s commitment to ethical conduct, professional standards and evidence-based investigations.

Complete Licensing has also published further information about his professional investigator accreditation.

Areas of expertise

Richard provides support in areas including:

• premises licence applications and variations;
• licensing review hearings;
• police and responsible authority objections;
• crime prevention and security assessments;
• expert witness reports and oral evidence;
• night-time economy and cumulative impact assessments;
• CCTV, door supervision and incident-management procedures;
• premises compliance inspections;
• management and staff interviews;
• test purchasing and due diligence;
• operating schedules and licensing conditions;
• dispersal, search and customer-safety policies; and
• pubs, bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels and entertainment venues.

Whether a business is applying for a new premises licence, responding to an objection, preparing for a licence review or seeking an independent compliance assessment, Richard provides clear, practical and evidence-led advice.

Learn more about Complete Licensing’s expert witness services.

Read more: Back on the nightclub beat