Differing compliance was found in two separate SIA door checks in England and Scotland.
On Saturday, November 29, eight investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) were joined by officers from Avon and Somerset Constabulary and the UK Border Agency, to continue checks of Bristol City centre door staff.
Six licensed premises were visited and 28 door staff were checked. Some 27 door staff were found working legally, and one operative was found working without an SIA Door Supervisor licence.
Sharon Roberts, an SIA Head of Investigations said:
"Bristol has a unique and lively night-time economy. It was encouraging to find licensees protecting their businesses and customers by using SIA licensed door staff.
This operation was a great example of partners working together to make the people of Bristol feel safe on a night out."
Inspector Martin Rowland from Avon and Somerset Constabulary said: "We work very closely in partnership with everyone involved in the licensed trade in Bristol to make sure that people can enjoy themselves, stay safe and feel safe.
Door staff play a key part in this and we welcome the support of the SIA in this kind of operation to ensure that the right people are doing this job."
On the same night, investigators supported Strathclyde Police as they carried out compliance checks on door supervisors working at licensed premises across south Lanarkshire.
The visit was a follow-up to an SIA-led operation in March and the police wanted to ensure that only SIA licensed door staff were being employed at licensed premises.
21 door supervisors were checked across 10 licensed premises in Lanark, Hamilton, Cambuslang and Rutherglen.
13 offences were found – 12 Section 3 offences (working without an SIA licence) and one Section 5 offence (supplying or employing unlicensed door supervisors).
Christy Hopkins, an SIA Head of Investigation said: "While these results are very disappointing, it shows the quality of our intelligence-led approach to enforcement. Strathclyde Police and the SIA are committed to targeting our activities at those companies who continue to flout the law and deploy untrained and unlicensed security staff. The door supervisors discovered on Saturday were reported and now face possible police prosecution.
This is just the latest stage in our compliance activities and we have plans to return to this area and others in Strathclyde to ensure that non-compliance is no longer an option. Our focus will continue to be ensuring public safety in South Lanarkshire and the wider Strathclyde area."
Chief Superintendent Tim Love, Divisional Commander for South Lanarkshire said: "The premises visited have been identified from intelligence provided by the local community that unlicensed door supervisors were working on licensed premises. My officers supported the SIA Investigators as part of Safer South Lanarkshire. While the majority of premises visited complied with the legislation, I am disappointed that offences were detected, I want the public to have the confidence that when they are enjoying and supporting the night-time economy in the area, they are reassured that the door supervisors responsible for their security and protection are licensed.
We will continue to support responsible licensees and act on information from the public which will assist in impacting on serious and organised criminals who operate within the security industry."
As the busy festive period for pubs and clubs approaches, the SIA is launching Operation Cinnamon – a nationwide, multi-agency campaign to carry out targeted and random checks on door staff working at licensed premises.
The initiative, which will run through Christmas into the New Year, will see SIA investigators working with regional police forces, licensing officers, local authorities and other partners to ensure only SIA licensed door staff are employed at licensed premises.
Jackie Munn, an SIA Head of Investigation, who is leading on Operation Cinnamon said: "I am looking forward to working with our partners during Operation Cinnamon to ensure compliance with the law. We want the festive season to be a safe and enjoyable one for the public.
I want to reinforce the message that SIA licence holders are trained, qualified and professional operatives – there is no room at the inn for amateurs."
