Surrey Police ran a compliance and enforcement operation involving up to 40 officers who visited licensed premises in Guildford to check SIA door staff licences.
All 16 premises visited were fully SIA-compliant. Praising Surrey Police, SIA Head of Investigation for the South East region, Sue Sheath, said: “It is great to see the legislation being enforced so proactively by Surrey Police and equally encouraging to see that the premise licence holders understand the zero tolerance approach that’s being successfully adopted. Surrey benefits from a vibrant night-time economy and the SIA door supervisor licence will ensure that only professional, trained and qualified door staff work at pubs and clubs in the county. Door staff, managers and premises licence holders remain strictly liable for any failure to comply with the law and this enforcement operation demonstrates that they are taking it seriously.”
Police concern
By the end of February, there was concern, police recall, over the lack of applications to the scheme in the county. Surrey Police allowed a maximum of four weeks’ additional time for the licensing trade to make sure their staff were compliant before carrying out the checks in April.
What they say
Chief Supt Jerry Kirkby, said: “Surrey Police and the SIA regard the new licences as a tool in helping curb violent crime and reducing anti-social behaviour in public places and helping to keep people safe and feeling safe during a night out in Surrey. We are pleased that this operation has been successful and hope that this partnership approach continues into the future.”
