SIA slams 'hardest doorman' contest

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has criticised a contest to find "Britain's hardest doorman".

SIA chief executive Mike Wilson said the contest — billed as a "winner takes all, knock-out tournament" — puts the doorstaff industry "in a very bad light". The

contest will see 16 SIA-reg-

istered doormen battle for a £10,000 prize over a series of boxing matches in Manchester on 28 September.

Wilson said: "I am disappointed by this event: it puts the industry in a very bad light. It undermines progress made in door supervision.

"Intelligence and conflict management skills are the tools of the profession to protect the public in the 21st century, not physical means.

"Since the introduction of national regulation and licensing for the private security industry, the SIA and the door supervisor sector have worked to raise standards of professionalism in the industry and to ensure that the old-style 'bouncer' was consigned to history.

"Door supervisors are now rightly recognised as professionals, essential security providers and ambassadors for their venues."

The MA asked for a comment from the event's organisers KO Promotions, but re-ceived no response.