Warnings were given to door staff for breaking Security Industry Authority licence conditions after police and SIA investigators visited six pubs in Stroud on Saturday night, July 9.
In total, 22 door staff on duty were inspected and all held a valid SIA licence. However, four individuals working at three different venues were issued with warnings by Gloucestershire Police for failing to display their licences while on duty.<br><br>SIA enquiries also identified two unlicensed directors, both working for the same security firm. However, the door supervisors deployed by this company are correctly licensed. SIA investigators will be interviewing the directors later this month and prosecution could follow.<br><br>Retrospective checks were also carried out by looking at historical records in staff log books. This found two door staff who had signed in to work despite their SIA licence having expired. Although both have since renewed their licence, the police are looking at the unlicensed activity that took place at the time.<br><br>SIA Head of Investigation Paul Cartlidge said: โThis operation was carried out to ensure that door supervisions and those deploying them were working legally. We have gathered useful information and detected unlicensed activity. We will work closely with the police to assist with any investigation that may lead to a prosecution.โ<br><br>Licensing Officer for Gloucestershire Constabulary, PC Andy Cook, said: "We are pleased that the majority of door supervisors working at licensed premises are doing so with an SIA licence but disappointed that a few have been working on expired licences, and these will be thoroughly investigated. We are glad to have the opportunity to work in partnership with the SIA and the council to ensure that the highest standards of door staffing are maintained in the county. We will continue to work closely with licensees and door staff, as well as the local council, to make sure that the town remains a safe place to socialise."
And in Thames Valley Police force area, door staff across venues in Slough were recently visited, to check that licence conditions were being met.
Some 18 members of door staff from seven venues were visited by officers from Thames Valley Police, Slough Borough Council (SBC) and the Security Industry Authority (SIA) between the hours of 7pm and midnight on Friday, July 1.
The purpose of the visits and subsequent checks of door staff was to ensure that they each held and displayed a valid SIA licence whilst on duty.
Seven of the 18 door staff were found to be in breach of their licence conditions. The breaches all related to a failure to notify the SIA of a change of address which is an offence under Section 9 of the โPrivate Security Industry Act 2001โ.
Warnings will be issued to each of the seven door staff.
Debie Pearmain, licensing officer for Thames Valley Police, said: โThe operation was well received with full cooperation from the designated premise supervisors. Licensing checks were also conducted at the same time to ensure that conditions were being adhered to. Some breaches were found which are now being addressed.โ
SIA Head of Investigation Darren Woodhouse said: โAlthough some of the door supervisors inspected were found to be breaking licence conditions, overall, the results are positive. We will continue to work with the police and the local authority to ensure that only SIA-licensed individuals work the doors in Slough.โ
Mick Sims, Slough Borough Councilโs licensing manager, said: โI am very pleased with the joint operation that was conducted and with the results that were identified. We will continue with this new partnership initiative to ensure continued compliance with the SIA requirements and with licensing issues.โ
