Welsh fears over SIA licence

A television documentary has highlighted fears that door staff will be reluctant to get the new Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.

The S4C programme for Welsh television interviewed current door supervisors to learn more about the trade.

It estimated the cost to register and train a professional door supervisor, which including insurance, training, gym membership and uniforms could amount to as much as £9,700.

There is currently a level of confusion in Wales, with door staff unsure of how they should move forward with training.

Vicky Clarke, company secretary at Silurian Security Services, in Swansea, looks after 50 door staff and is after some clarity from the SIA.

She said: "I've registered with them but have had little in the way of information. I don't want to see staff forking out for training that isn't recognised.

"There will be benefits when it's in place but we are concerned about the shortfall of staff now who are being put off by the new licence. We are finding it difficult to recruit and the existing supervisors are wondering why they need to pay for more training for a job they've already been doing for 20 years."

Meanwhile the SIA remains committed, despite revealing that very few door supervisors have applied for licences in the first enforcement area of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The SIA training has been available since the beginning of the year and all door staff will legally have to hold the new licence by April 2005.

The SIA refused to comment until they had seen the programme.