Illegal door staff caught in Gloucester

[21 July 2008]

An operation in Gloucester to crack-down on unlicensed door staff has been deemed a success after two illegal door staff were discovered.

The operation was conducted by the Gloucester City Safer Community Team and the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Officers worked throughout the night conducting checks on door staff at the city's pubs and clubs. The two illegal door staff now face prosecution.

Police Licensing Officer PC Guy Hall said: "The police have a good working relationship with local door staff and their licensees who do not support the employment of illegal persons. SIA licensed door staff help raise the professionalism and skills within the private security industry which helps to promote and spread best practice.

“Door staff are vital to keeping alcohol related crime and disorder under control in the city. Any door staff found to be working illegally will face prosecution and any person found employing illegal door staff will also face enforcement action. We will conduct further operations and together with our partners we will endeavour to remove all illegal door staff.”

SIA Head of Investigation, Christy Hopkins said: “These checks showed that the vast majority of door staff in Gloucester's city centre pubs and clubs were working legally with SIA licences. However, two doormen were working illegally and it is imperative that door staff and those deploying them do not flout the law.

“This operation sends a very clear message that, like us, our partners at Gloucestershire Police will not tolerate unlicensed door staff working in positions of trust and more operations like this will follow.”

Licensed door staff can be easily identified as they are all required to display their SIA licence / badge. The Police and Local Victuallers Association (LVA) support the use of high visibility armbands, which help to identify the door person and allow the clear displaying of their SIA badge. Members of the LVA can obtain these armbands by contacting their chairperson.

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Visit the SIA's website for more information.