14 May 2008: On Friday 9 May, investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and officers from Stockport Police continued their checks on door staff working on licensed premises as part of 'Operation Safe'.

During the intelligence-led operation, the SIA and police visited 8 licensed premises in the Bramhall and Hazel Grove area.

16 door supervisors were checked and 5 individuals were warned for offences under Section 9 (non display of licence)*

*The SIA always 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 e.g. training completed, licence application submitted. But the SIA expects security companies and individuals to comply with the law.

Lucia Howland, an SIA Head of Investigation said:

"As part of this ongoing operational activity within the area, we were pleased to see the majority of door staff working legally. It is important that we and our police partners continue to remind door staff and those deploying them of their legal responsibilities."

Chief Inspector Stuart Barton, of the Stockport division of Greater Manchester Police said:

"Operation Safe was launched to ensure that all door supervisors in Stockport have the necessary training and qualifications to keep the public safe. So far the operation has proved to be very successful and we will continue to work closely with the SIA and make further visits to licensed premises in Stockport in the future."

Notes to Editors:

• The first Operation Safe took place on Friday 11 April
• 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
• Security companies that are part of the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) may be given authorisation to deploy a certain percentage of their security staff whose licence applications are being processed. This is in the form of an SIA Licence Dispensation Notice (LDN).
• The maximum penalty for committing an offence such as working without a licence or supplying unlicensed staff is six months' imprisonment and/or fine up to £5,000 (or trial on indictment to crown court, whereby an unlimited fine and/or five years' imprisonment could be imposed)
• SIA licences can be checked through the Register of Licence Holders, available 24-hours on the SIA website.