Door Supervisors to be licensed or risk prosecution

The licences were first introduced in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in June 2004 and then gradually phased in across the rest of the UK and Wales ending with London on April 11, 2005. However, following claims that only half of the capital's door supervisors are currently in possession of a licence the metropolitan police have granted London a discretionary extension until the 6^th June 2005.

BII Awarding Body (BIIAB) the leading awarding body of qualifications for licensed retail has developed the BIIAB Level 2 National Certificate for door supervisors. The national qualification awarded by BIIAB meets the training and qualification criteria defined by the SIA. The qualification is a legal requirement for door supervisors currently working in licensed retail or wishing to start work in the industry, in support of the SIA licence.

In order to be granted the SIA licence, door supervisors must clear a criminal record bureau (CRB) and identity check in addition to successfully achieving the BIIAB qualification. Door supervisors must clearly display their SIA licence when working and those licensees employing door staff without the appropriate licence could risk their licence being revoked.

John McNamara, BII Chief Executive said: "I urge licensees to ensure that door supervisors working in their premises have SIA licences. If staff need to be trained, put them through the BIIAB National Certificate for Door Supervisors without delay. Do not run the risk of prosecution for failing to comply with the law ".