Security Industry Authority (SIA) investigators and officers from Avon and Somerset Constabulary, North Somerset Council and the Department for Work and Pensions chose Friday 14 November as the date to check that door staff working at licensed premises were doing so on a legal footing.
They visited 13 pubs, clubs and bars in Weston-super Mare and Nailsea, in the process checking on 28 door supervisors. Two were found working without SIA licences, and another pair warned for failing to display their licence.
Demonstration of basic competence
Commenting on this latest ‘swoop’ by the Regulator, Sharon Roberts – an SIA head of investigation – stated: “It’s encouraging that the majority of door staff checked were working with
valid SIA licences. The SIA licence reassures members of the public that the holder has undergone training and checks to demonstrate their competence to operate in their role. In the lead-up to the busy Christmas period, it’s important that public safety is maintained. SIA-licensed door staff can help greatly in contributing towards that.”
Cllr Felicity Baker – executive member and chairman of the Licensing Committee at North Somerset Council – added: “Successful operations like these illustrate our commitment to ensuring that people follow the rules. By identifying and dealing with unlicensed operators we can help provide a safe environment for all. We will continue to work with partners such as the police service and the Regulator in similar operations.”
Police perspective on the matter
Chief inspector Nick Walker of North Somerset Police had this to say: “We work very closely in partnership with everyone involved in the licensed trade to make sure people can enjoy themselves and stay safe in North Somerset’s many pubs and clubs.
“Door supervisors play a key part in keeping everyone safe on a night out, and we welcome the support of the Security Industry Authority in this sort of operation to make sure the right people are doing this job.”
99% compliance as Falcon targets Wales
On Thursday 13 November, teams of SIA investigators carried out random checks on security sites in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport to test for compliance with the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
This was the third time SIA investigators undertook a large-scale operation to test the intelligence-led approach. Normally, action is driven by intelligence and analysis; with random checks used to ensure that the analysis is accurate.
Operation Falcon targeted 108 sites including museums, retail outlets, the Millennium Centre, the Millennium Stadium, casinos, schools, universities, Cardiff City Hall, law courts, construction sites, ports and shopping centres. In all, 108 premises or sites were visited. 43 security companies were identified, and 157 security licences checked. 155 operatives were SIA licensed. Compliance with the requirement to be licensed was 99%
Alleged offences encountered were: two offences of working without a licence and seven of failing to display a licence
Commitment to the regulatory regime
Offering a perspective on Falcon, the SIA’s director of operations Andy Drane said: “I’m pleased that our random testing operations continue to show a high level of compliance with the law across Great Britain. This shows the commitment of the majority of the private security industry to the regulatory regime, and the continued effectiveness of our compliance and enforcement approach. It also means that people, property and businesses are being protected by private security operatives who, in the great majority of cases, are properly checked and trained.”
The first Operation Falcon took place 15 May in Birmingham (compliance was 92%), the second on 7 August in Manchester (on which occasion compliance was found to be 95%).
Ipswich town centre door staff checked
Last weekend, SIA investigators joined Suffolk Constabulary officers and representatives from Ipswich Borough Council to target pubs and clubs in Ipswich town centre. The operation was part of the constabulary’s ‘Stay Safe’ campaign, which promotes safety in the night-time economy.
The checks saw 55 door supervisors inspected at ten licensed premises – all were SIA licensed.
Jacqueline Parker, an SIA head of investigation, explained: “The aim of this operation was to ensure door staff working in positions of trust were working legally, and we were very pleased with the results. As the night-time economy approaches its busiest time of year, it’s important that door staff hold valid SIA licences, which help promote a safe environment for customers. We will continue to work closely with our partners on future visits to licensed premises in the area.”
Inspector Becky Kidd-Stanton, who was present when the checks were being carried out, added: “From a policing perspective, the role of door supervisors is key to ensuring that our pubs and clubs are safe places to enjoy a night out. Therefore, we work closely with the managers of licensed premises to ensure that door staff are appropriately licensed, trained and effective in their role. While we anticipated a high level of compliance, we were delighted with the fact that every one of the 55 door supervisors checked held a valid SIA licence. This was a successful start to our ‘Stay Safe’ campaign, and officers will continue to increase their patrols in Ipswich Town centre throughout the festive period.”
Mike Grimwood – service manager with Ipswich Borough Council – concluded: “Ipswich Borough Council’s licensing and enforcement officers work regularly with other agencies to ensure the safety of the residents and visitors to Ipswich. They are equally delighted with the results of the joint exercise. It highlights the success of partnership working, and credit must be given to the managers of the clubs and pubs, not to mention the door staff themselves, for their professional approach.”
