Checks on door staff working in Bedford town centre on Saturday night, April 13, found all operatives working legally as they all held a valid Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.
SIA investigators and representatives from Bedford Borough Council carried out inspections across 12 venues, checking 53 door supervisors. The venues included pubs, night clubs and late night fast food outlets. Although all those checked had valid SIA licences, five warnings were issued to door staff for failure to notify the SIA of a change of address, which is a breach of licensing conditions.
Intelligence was also gathered on a possible unlicensed security director deploying security staff to venues in the town centre. Enquires are on-going.
SIA Head of Investigation Darren Woodhouse said afterwards: “I am pleased that all those checked were properly SIA licensed. However, I must remind licence holders of their responsibility to notify the SIA when they change address. I will be conducting further enquiries into the alleged unlicensed security director operating in the area.”
Councillor Will Hunt, Chair of Licensing Committee at Bedford Borough Council, said: “Door staff have an important role to play in making sure Bedford town centre is a safe and enjoyable place to visit in the evening.
“This is the ethos of the Bedsafe initiative and we value the support of the SIA to keep standards high.”
Information on how licence holders can change their details can be found on the website: http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/my-details
