Police accused over doorstaff scheme

A pub operator has accused police of "bully-boy" tactics in introducing a scheme in Kettering which makes doorstaff wear high-visibility bibs.​ The luminous bibs have been issued to licensees in the town, who are expected to pass them on to their doorstaff.

But Jon Cowell, who owns six pubs in the area, including one in Kettering, said he was unhappy about the way the scheme had been introduced.

"It's a little bit of a schoolboy bully tactic to make licensees enforce this, we feel the police are over-stepping the mark," he said.

"Wearing the bibs is not in the job description of doorstaff."

But overall, he added, the scheme was a "good idea".

Set up by Northamptonshire Police and Kettering Borough Council, the scheme is designed to make doorstaff more easily recognisable to customers.

It is also meant to ensure they show up on CCTV during violent incidents.

However security firm SCI, which supplies the majority of doorstaff in the town, has rejected the bibs and provided their workers with jackets instead.

SCI operations manager Keith Brown said: "The bibs are good for visibility, but not for durability. There is also a health and safety issue with them. They can be easily pulled over a doorman's head if they are involved in an incident."

Sergeant Kevin Byrne of Kettering Police said he was surprised by the reaction. "This is something we discussed with the local Pub Watch and everyone gave their approval," he said.

"We are looking for compliance on the issue, as we can see the benefits it will bring in improving Kettering town centre."