SIA: we've not hit our targets

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) says it is still failing to hit its own targets for processing doorstaff licences.

SIA boss Mike Wilson said since he apologised for delays on 3 March, "progress has been made, but it has not been as rapid as I had hoped".​

In a letter to trade groups and operators, Wilson said the SIA had not reached its target of completing 80% of licence decisions within six weeks, although recent applications are processed within six to eight weeks.

Wilson also said it is taking "a few weeks rather than a few days"​ to return documents.

And the time people are kept on hold at the call centre "has been an unacceptable 20 minutes, although this is already reducing".​

Noctis executive director Paul Smith said: "Six to eight weeks is a long time to process an application, but we've heard from a number of our members that 12 weeks - and counting - is pretty commonplace.​

"We've even heard of one instance where a door supervisor has been waiting since before Christmas for a new badge. This is totally unacceptable."

Smith suggested the SIA could let doorstaff work if they have proof their application had been sent off.

But an SIA spokesman said: "We can't give people carte blanche to work illegally [without a valid doorstaff licence]."​

Wilson's letter outlines action that the SIA has taken, including making individual licence application forms available on-line, and letting operators check the status of a licence on-line.

Wilson is currently touring bars across Britain, talking to doorstaff and managers about issues they face. Last week he visited Lancaster.