London is the latest – and final – region to have to put back enforcement of licences for door staff, due to lack of take-up.
Since last year Professional Security has reported widespread similar delays on full enforcement of door staff licences, from Somerset to North Yorkshire, as the SIA brought in door licences by region. The authority started a year ago in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and is finishing in London, arguably the most difficult part of the UK to enforce door licences.
On April 11 it will be an offence for all door supervisors and their managers working in London to work without a new Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. Shortly before that deadline, the SIA reported that despite widespread publicity of the introduction of the new national door supervisor licence insufficient numbers of London’s door supervisors have applied for their licence. What the SIA called this disappointing inaction by door supervisors and the licensed trade meant a shortage of SIA licensed door staff in London by the deadline.
The SIA and police, stressing that they do not want to see pubs and clubs close, ‘reluctantly’ agreed to the police exercising ‘a period of discretion’ in London until June 6. That meant the authorities taking what they call a ‘fair and proportionate approach’ to those door staff who have made every effort to comply with the law and have applied for their SIA licence. Those who have made no effort to get licensed may face prosecution and venues may close.
What they say
Commander Chris Allison of the Metropolitan Police, said: "We have been using our contacts within the licensing trade to keep pushing just how important it is for door supervisors to have their new SIA licence. They are the front line staff responsible for the safety of the many thousands of people who visit London’s world famous nightclubs and bars. It is vital that these people are professionally trained and qualified, and this is something we will be enforcing. Experience suggests that there is always be challenges when new measures like these are introduced. Therefore for an interim period door supervisors who have competed their training, have applied to the SIA for a licence and are in possession of a local authority badge, granted for the area in which they are working, will in the main not face prosecution by police. However, after June 6 we will be taking whatever action is necessary to ensure that only licensed responsible and professional door supervisors work in London’s pubs and clubs." Mike Bowron, Acting Commissioner, City of London Police said: "Door supervisors and security companies must use this opportunity to get licensed. I urge the leisure industry to ensure their door staff are fully SIA licensed by 6 June 05. This will be a real test of how responsible the pub and club industry in London is in respect of public safety and security and a strong indicator of their ability and determination to deal effectively with extended licensing hours."
All door supervisors are still legally required to hold an SIA licence after April 11 and the police may take action where necessary. Poppy Walter, SIA Head of Investigation for London said: "The message is simple – Act now. Door supervisors and their managers should grasp this opportunity to get licensed and avoid prosecution."
The SIA adds that the interim period only applies to door supervisors working in London boroughs who have competed their training, have applied to the SIA for a licence and are in possession of a local authority badge, granted for the area in which they are working. Anyone not meeting these conditions may face prosecution. SIA door supervisor and manager licences are legally required in all parts of England and Wales except London. For Scotland to join in licensing, there has to be legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament to bring Scotland in line with the Westminster legislation, the Private Security Industry Act 2001. When this will happen is unknown. The SIA also points out that the maximum penalty at magistrates’ court for a person found guilty of working as a door supervisor without an SIA licence is a £5,000 fine and or six months in prison.
