Checks by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Security Industry Authority (SIA) investigators on Saturday, May 11, found five security personnel working illegally.
The PSNI and SIA did inspections at 19 venues, checking 80 security people in Lurgan, Newry and Portadown. The venues included pubs, bars and nightclubs.
In Lurgan, warnings were issued to two door supervisors for failing to notify the SIA of their change of address, which is a breach of SIA licensing conditions.
In Newry, a door supervisor was found working on an expired licence; the police are considering further action against this individual. A further two warnings were issued to door supervisors who failed to notify the SIA of a change of their address and a failure to display their licence while working. In Portadown, the police are conducting further enquiries into two unlicensed door supervisors and two security managers who employ them. It is a legal requirement that both frontline security operatives and those who deploy them to be SIA licensed.
SIA Head of Investigation Sharon Roberts said: “The majority of those checked were correctly licensed, however, I am disappointed by the overall result. All of the offences detected were at premises using in-house security staff. I would urge all employers of security to check the licence status of their staff using the SIA’s Register of Licence Holders accessible via the SIA website. Over the course of 2013, Northern Ireland will be hosting some major events and it is important for the safety of the public that security staff are properly vetted, trained and licenced.
“We are committed to working with the PSNI to ensure regular checks are carried out and will be paying particular attention to those premises that use their own security.”
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Officers from Neighbourhood Policing Teams in E District assisted SIA investigators during this operation. Our main aim was to educate local door staff about the need to be licensed and ensure compliance with UK legislation designed to protect the public.
“We will continue to work alongside and assist the SIA and will also be conducting our own checks on door staff and licensees in the future. I am glad to say the majority of those individuals checked have the required accreditation and training.”
To access the Register of Licence Holder – visit: http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/licensing-rolh.aspx
