Lincolnshire Police made what is thought to be the first arrest in the country as part of a joint crackdown with the Security Industry Authority (SIA) on unlicensed door staff.
Police officers took part in the Operation Davit on Friday, June 24, checking that doorstaff had a licence in almost every single licensed premises across the county that requires doorstaff. Staff from the SIA worked with police.
The arrest was made at a pub in Skegness in connection with supplying unlicensed doorstaff to licensed premises. The 42 year old man was released on police bail pending further enquiries.
West Division’s Licensing Inspector, Chris Dring, said: "It’s the first time we’ve carried out a force-wide crackdown like this and we’re delighted with the results. The overwhelming majority of employees at licensed premises requiring doorstaff are correctly licensed now, which is good to see, and we’re taking tougher action against those that aren’t. All doorstaff, plus their employers, are aware that they need to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority to be able to work legally."
Doorstaff need to complete a set training course with a final exam leading to a national qualification and pass an identity and criminal record check to get an SIA licence. The course covers aspects of the job like evacuation procedures, diffusing potentially hostile situations and recognising illegal drugs.
Eighteen people could not produce the correct documentation and were issued with warning notices and summonsed to appear at court:
Two men in Boston aged 31 and 36 years old
Six men in Grantham aged 24, 28, 33, 36, 42 and 49 years old
Three men in Lincoln aged 25, 31 and 40 years old
Three men in Louth aged 27, 28 and 49 years old
Four men in Skegness aged 24, 31 and 42 years old, plus another man whose age is not known.
Inspector Dring added: "Those making the most of the county’s pubs and clubs will be reassured to know they are in safe hands with such highly-trained staff looking out for them."
What they say
Adrian Winter, SIA Head of Investigation for the Eastern Region said: "Operation Davit is a great example of partnership working between the police and the SIA. Lincolnshire has a vibrant night-time economy and by working together we can ensure that only professional, trained and qualified door staff work at pubs and clubs across the county."
