19 December 2008 On Saturday 6 December, investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA), Greater Manchester Police (Tameside Division) and licensing officers from Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council went out on patrol to check that door staff in Stalybridge were working legally with SIA licences.

The visits were part of Operation Cinnamon - a nationwide, multi-agency campaign to carry out targeted and random checks on door staff working at licensed premises during the run-up to the Christmas and New Year period. The checks also formed part of the police campaign, Operation Stand.

Six licensed premises were visited, 17 door staff were checked and two operatives were found working without an SIA licence; they are now expected to report to the police for an interview regarding these offences.

Three doormen were also issued with formal written warnings for breaching their licence conditions by not displaying their SIA licences correctly.

Lindsay Atherton, Partnerships Inspector - Tameside, Greater Manchester Police said:

"Tameside Police are conducting a high-profile multi-agency initiative called Operation STAND (Safer Tameside against Night-time Disorder) in support of the night-time economy at Stalybridge and Ashton with the aim of maintaining a safe environment for members of the public and the licensed trade. We welcome the support of the SIA in joining this initiative, which so far has achieved very positive results. We look forward to working with them again."

Ian Saxon, Head of Environmental Enforcement said:

"Ensuring the safety of customers using licensed premises is of paramount importance to this authority. We are fully committed to working with partner agencies such as the SIA and GMP to ensure all door staff are operating legally and able to support local initiatives to help reduce alcohol related disorder."

Lucia Howland, an SIA Head of Investigation said:

"These checks showed that most door staff in Stalybridge were working legally with SIA licences. However, a small number were working illegally.

Our message is that SIA licence holders are trained, qualified and professional operatives - there is no room at the inn for amateurs."

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.
• SIA licences can be checked through the Register of Licence Holders, available 24-hours on the SIA website.
• The SIA's 'Enforcement' pages can be found here www.the-sia.org.uk/enforcement
• To report illegal activity visit: www.the-sia.org.uk/tell-us