Doorstaff - moves towards regulation

Training initiatives developed by the pub trade to improve the standard of doorstaff are now working alongside government legislation to regulate the private security industry.

Private security is big business - the Home Office estimates that there are 170,000 door supervisors working in pubs and clubs, including those employed directly by the operators, and those working on contracts - either self-employed or through security firms.

The Home Office also freely admits that its estimate is just that - an informed guess - since the diversity of the door security industry, and the often casual way in which door supervisors are employed, makes an accurate count impossible.

Raising the calibre of the doorstaff employed in the licensed trade has become a two-way process, with training initiatives developed by the industry itself introduced alongside new government legislation which aims to better regulate the private security industry.

Most publicans will be familiar with the issues; doorstaff are often poorly trained, difficult to manage, and in some cases can even be a focus for violent and drug-related crime rather than preventing it. While many working in the trade will have a horror story to tell, there is also the statistical evidence to back that up thanks to a working party set up Parliament:

• While offences committed by security staff are not collected separately by the police, evidence given to the Home Affairs Committee by the Association of Chief Police Officers estimated that around 2,600 offences are committed each year by private security staff.
• There is evidence of door stewards dealing in drugs, often to vulnerable young people and committing public order and violent offences.
• A Home Office report found evidence of doorstaff dealing in drugs, turning a blind eye to drug dealing and receiving payment for allowing drug dealing to take place.

Having concluded in the mid-1990s that the only way to substantially reduce the number of unsuitable people working in the security industry was by introducing a licensing system, it was only this year that legislation was passed.

Even now, the situation is still not finally resolved. The Private Security Industry Act 2001, which became law this summer, allows for the setting up of the Security Industry Authority which will license security personnel, including door supervisors, wheelclampers, security consultants, private investigators and keyholders.

However, the authority is still in the process of being set up, and it may be 2003 before the licensing system is in place.

Door Supervisor's National Certificate​

In advance of the legislation, the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), recognising the concerns many pub companies and individual publicans have about the calibre of staff, has launched a qualification, the Door Supervisor's National Certificate

Aimed both at door supervisors already working in the licensed retail sector, or those wishing to start work in the industry, the certificate has been designed to meet training and qualification criteria for supervisors set out in the best local authority registration schemes - some of which were use by the Government as models for its own plans.

There are two stages to the course. The first is knowledge-based, using a short, multiple-choice examination, while stage two includes both an exam, and demonstrations of physical competence.

Candidates must successfully pass stage one before progressing. A Door Supervisor's Passport, with a photograph, is issued to each successful candidate in stage one. Evidence of passing each of the stage two competencies can be added to the passport at any time.

The courses can be studied at BII-approved training centres, and there is a handbook and support material available.

Safer Doors​

A training guide to help doorstaff working at pubs and clubs comply with the new Government legislation has also been published.

The book, Safer Doors, has been written by PC Andy Walker of Humberside police, who was part of the Home Office research programme which drafted the legislation. The guide aims to cover all the relevant areas in further detail, including:

• basic communication skills
• non-verbal communication
• handling complaints and disputes
• controlling aggression
• equal opportunities.

It also teaches doorstaff the relevant aspects of the law including trespass, the use of force, offensive weapons, drugs, assault and firearms.

Further information:​

BII Door Supervisor's National CertificateTelephone: 01276 864449 Website: www.bii.org.uk

Safer Doors is by PC Andy Walker.The ISBN number to quote when ordering from booksellers is 1842050974

The Private Security Industry Act 2001: Q&A​

Is the entire UK covered?​

The act only covers England and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own registration scheme for doorstaff, and the Scottish Executive recently announced that it will be introducing a scheme for Scotland along similar lines to the act.

What laws are unlicensed doorstaff breaking?​

The act creates a number of new offences, including employing an unlicensed security operative and operating without a licence. Inspectors appointed by the new authority will be able to enter premises, demand relevant information and check operatives' licences.

What will the Security Industry Authority do?​

The functions of the Security Industry Authority are:

• to license individuals and to approve companies
• keep under general review the private security industry and the operation of the legislative framework
• monitor the activities and effectiveness of those working in the industry
• conduct inspections
• set and approve standards of conduct, training and supervision within the industry and make recommendations to improve standards.

Who will need a licence?​

All individuals who operate in designated sectors of the industry will require a licence. The designated sectors are:

• manned guards, including door supervisors
• wheelclampers
• private investigators
• security consultants
• keyholders.

When will licensing start?​

Once established, the authority will draw up its licensing criteria and institute a rolling programme of licensing. The relevant provisions of the act will then be brought into force. It is likely that wheelclamp operators will be the first sector targeted, with doorstaff following.

ThePublican.com will keep readers up to date with developments, and the authority will undertake a publicity campaign. Pubs and doorstaff need take no action until then.

Will security companies have to register?​

Individuals will be licensed rather than companies, but there will be a voluntary scheme under which individuals or firms supplying security services can apply to be inspected by the authority. Inspection will be based on published criteria and standards and successful companies will be able to advertise themselves as approved contractors.

How much will licences cost?​

Licences will probably cost in the region of £35 to £40 for a three-year registration, with the exact fee to be set at a figure which will make the authority self-financing.

Who will pay the licence fee?​

The individual who wants to register is responsible for paying the licence fee. It is, of course, open to employers to pay the licence fee for their staff if they choose to do so.

What are the licence criteria?​

The act requires that only fit and proper persons are granted lice