Police spot check Bucks door staff (From Bucks Free Press)

Police spot check Bucks door staff

10:07am Thursday 14th March 2013 in News By Pete Grant

POLICE have carried out a series of spot checks on door staff in pubs and clubs across Buckinghamshire, issuing nine warnings during the operation over the last two weekends.

Along with investigators from the Security Industry Authority, officers carried out 20 inspections in Wycombe and Aylesbury on Friday March 3 and Saturday March 9 as part of Operation Sialic.

Of the door supervisors inspected, none were found to be unlicensed, though nine received warnings for being breach of SIA licensing conditions such as failure to notify the authority of criminal convictions.

Thames Valley Police licensing co-ordinator Ben Clarke said: “Well-trained, licensed door staff are key to making the night-time environment safe in our towns and cities.

“Untrained, unlicensed door staff could have the opposite effect and make the situation worse. Having this type of scrutiny has obvious benefits for the public.”

It is the first time an operation of this scale has been carried out, with 440 door supervisors checked in the Force area over two weekends.

The compliance rate for the Buckinghamshire was 85% and SIA head of investigation Darren Woodhouse said he was pleased with the result of the operation.

“The investment of time and personnel by TVP and the SIA gives a clear message to the public that we are committed to ensuring their safety,” he said.

“It demonstrates to those involved in the night-time economy that we insist upon full compliance with SIA licensing and its conditions.”