SIA pinpoints door staff in Bridgend and Strathclyde

02 Jun 09

A man acting as a door supervisor in Bridgend has been fined for working without a licence, while security staff at a Wishaw pub have also been charged.

Craig David Howe, 21, of Brackla, Bridgend in Mid-Glamorgan pleaded guilty to the offence (under Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001) at Bridgend Magistrates Court on Tuesday 19 May.

Howe was fined a total of £475. The original £600 fine was later reduced to £400 for an early guilty plea, with £75 added for other costs.

Police were alerted by staff at a venue in Bridgend, where Howe had been working, as they believed he was unlicensed. Howe had been using a photocopy of another individual’s licence with his picture superimposed.

Qualified and professional security staff

SIA head of investigation Jacquie Parker told SMT Online: “Although the venue had contracted door staff from an external company, they were vigilant in checking that only licensed operatives were working on their premises. With the police’s help, we were then able to take appropriate action.”

Parker added: “This shows that those flouting the law will be prosecuted. It’s essential that all individuals working as door supervisors, whether in-house or contract, are licensed. This affords members of the public the necessary reassurance that only qualified and professional staff are acting in these roles.”

A separate team of SIA investigators joined Strathclyde Police to carry out an inspection at a pub in Wishaw, Lanarkshire on Friday 22 May.

The venue was targeted following intelligence reports that door supervisors employed by a Glasgow-based security firm had been failing to comply with the Terms and Conditions of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

Door supervisors and md charged

The checks led to two door supervisors being charged with Section 3 offences (working without an SIA licence). The managing director of the security firm concerned was also charged under Section 5 of the Act (supplying or employing unlicensed operatives).

The police are conducting further enquires.

SIA head of investigation Sharon Roberts explained: “SIA licensing in Scotland has been in place since November 2007, so no-one can claim ignorance of the law. In this particular case, further action may well be taken under the terms of the Act.”

Roberts concluded: “We’ll continue to work with the police to ensure compliance with the law. Further joint operations will be taking place in the near future.”

Door Supervision Network meeting in London

As part of the SIA’s Stakeholder Engagement Strategy, the fifth Door Supervision Network meeting will be held on Tuesday 30 June in central London.

The meeting is being organised and facilitated by representatives from the door supervision sector, with the full support of the SIA, and is an opportunity for delegates working within door supervision to engage with the Regulator and others in their industry. Representatives will discuss and explore industry and regulation issues.

This meeting follows the successes of the first four events held in September 2007, January 2008, June 2008 and October 2008.

If you would like to attend the meeting, please register your interest by 12 June (log on at the link provided on the right hand panel of this page)

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