Christmas and New Year Multi-Agency Initiative

30 November 2007: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will be working with partners to carry out a series of weekend checks on door staff at licensed premises during the run-up to the busy Christmas and New Year period.

SIA Investigators will be supported by regional police forces, licensing officers and local authorities as part of the nationwide multi-agency initiative designed to ensure that revellers can enjoy their nights out in a safe environment.

Jackie Munn, an SIA Head of Investigation, who is leading Festive Spice said:

"We will be working closely with our police partners, local authorities and the licensed trade in the busy time leading up to Christmas and the New Year. The multi-agency visits are a clear demonstration that everyone working together can make a positive contribution to public safety.

We want to ensure that the many people who go out during this period can do so, knowing that door staff, who play a key role in dealing with alcohol related crime and disorder are, trained, qualified and SIA licensed.

Door staff working without an SIA licence, and those deploying them, are committing an offence and licensees risk having their premises closed."

Licensees are urged to check that their security suppliers operate within the law. SIA licences can be checked through the Register of Licence Holders, available 24-hours on the SIA website.

Notes to Editors:

• It is an offence to work as a door supervisor (in house and contract) in Great Britain without an SIA licence. A Door Supervisor licence is required if manned guarding activities are undertaken in relation to licensed premises.
• The maximum penalty for committing an offence such as working without a licence or employing unlicensed staff is six months' imprisonment and/or fine up to £5,000 (or trial on indictment to crown court, whereby an unlimited find and/or five years' imprisonment could be imposed).