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South Shields on Friday, May 2 was the venue for the latest op by investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA, joined by officers from Northumbria Police and South Tyneside Council
It was for Operation QWERTY – to target non-compliant door staff working at licensed premises in the town.
During what the authorities term the intelligence-led operation:
11 licensed premises were visited
35 door supervisors were checked, most (the authorities did not give an exact figure) held valid SIA door supervisor licences.
A small number of door staff were working with expired licences. The SIA comments that it takes a fair and proportionate approach to enforcement action and will take into account the progress an individual has made towards getting or renewing a licence eg training completed, licence application submitted. But the SIA adds that it expects security companies and individuals to comply with the law.
Lucia Howland, an SIA Head of Investigation said: "Firstly, Iโd like to thank our partners at Northumbria Police and South Tyneside Council for working with us. We all want to see trained, qualified and SIA licensed door staff working in positions of trust. We were pleased to find door staff complying with the law and it is reassuring for us, and the public, that door supervisors and licensees in South Shields have recognised the importance and value of an SIA licence."
Ian Johnson, Licensing Co-ordinator for South Tyneside Area Command, said: "The aim of Operation QWERTY was to make sure that door staff in South Shields town centre are working in a professional manner. It was extremely encouraging that a high number of the 35 door staff checked across 11 premises were displaying their SIA badges. Only a small number were working with an expired licence. It is important that their role is properly regulated and that these regulations are appropriately enforced. We regularly carry out these multi-agency checks and will continue to do so to ensure that South Tyneside remains a safe place to live, work and visit."
