WALES SET FOR A SAFER NIGHTLIFE
New door supervisor licence introduced
Pub and club goers throughout Wales will be in safer hands from 14 June 2004 with the launch of a new compulsory national licensing scheme for door staff.
The new licence, issued by the regulating body the Security Industry Authority (SIA), will begin to rid the industry of the small pockets of old old-style ‘bouncers’ whose criminal and violent behaviour has given door supervision a bad name.
Under the new SIA licence, all door supervisors will be required to undergo an identity and criminal background check and reach set levels of training and professional standards in a nationally recognised qualification. Training will cover key areas of door supervision such as conflict management, emergency procedures and drug awareness.
The SIA licence is being introduced region by region in England. Wales follows successful launches in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in March, and the South West of England in early June. From 6 September 2004, it will be a criminal offence to work as a door supervisor in Wales without an SIA licence.
Indeed, from April 2005, it will be illegal to work as a door supervisor anywhere in England and Wales without an SIA licence.
During the past 20 years, the number of door supervisors has grown dramatically with the boom in the night-time economy. It’s estimated that there are currently 95,000 door supervisors employed in pubs, clubs and bars in England and Wales.
SIA Chairman Peter Hermitage said:
“It’s vital people feel safe when they go out to bars, pubs and clubs. And as a parent, I recognise how important it is that you know your children are going to be safe when they go out.” The new national licence will ensure we have qualified, highly trained door staff in pubs, bars and clubs across the country.
“Unfortunately, the industry as a whole has suffered because of a small minority who give it a bad name. The new licence will protect the public from untrained and unsuitable operators and will improve the industry”s image.”