9 July 2008: Investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and officers from Derbyshire Police checked door staff compliance in Derby's city centre pubs and clubs last weekend. The operation was part of an ongoing Derbyshire Police initiative targeting alcohol-related disorder in the night-time economy.

• 34 premises were visited
• 92 door supervisors were inspected
• 88 held valid SIA licences*
• 4 door supervisors were reported for possible prosecution for working without an SIA licence

*7 individuals were warned for not correctly displaying their licence.

Jacqueline Parker, an SIA Head of Investigation said:

"This operation showed that 96% of door staff in Derby were working legally with SIA licences. However, a small number were working illegally and it is imperative that door staff working in positions of trust and those deploying them do not flout the law; this will not be tolerated by our police partners or us. The public deserve to be protected by trained, qualified and SIA licensed door staff."

Sergeant Katie Andrews, from Derby police's licensing team, said:

"All in all it was a very successful operation working alongside the SIA.

It has demonstrated that the vast majority of door staff operating in the city are licensed and have undergone the necessary checks to fulfil their positions and that premises and security companies fully understand the need for their staff to be licensed.

We will now go away and look at those four people found not to be operating with a licence and take appropriate action."

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 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.
• 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. However, the SIA expects security companies and individuals to comply with the law. Further information can be found on the Enforcement pages of the SIA website.