London pubs given reprieve over SIA
Pubs and clubs in London have been given an eight-week extension to ensure their doorstaff have qualified for the new security licence, following concerted pressure from the trade.
Doorstaff now have until June 6 to obtain the Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence, after it became apparent that fewer than half of the capital's doorstaff were in possession of one.
The situation is replicated across England and Wales, where although all doorstaff must now be in possession of a licence, few areas are fully enforcing the law because so few door workers have one.
The SIA, the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police have agreed to exercise a "period of discretion" in London following the original deadline of April 11, with door supervisors who have applied for their SIA licence escaping action.
However the SIA warned that those door workers who had made no effort to get licensed could still face prosecution and venues could close.
Commander Chris Allison of the Metropolitan Police said: "Experience suggests that there is always be challenges when new measures like these are introduced. Therefore for an interim period door supervisors who have competed their training, have applied to the SIA for a licence and are in possession of a local authority badge, granted for the area in which they are working, will in the main not face prosecution by police.
"However, after 6th June 2005 we will be taking whatever action is necessary to ensure that only licensed responsible and professional door supervisors work in London's pubs and clubs."
Poppy Walter, SIA head of investigation for London said:"The message is simple - Act now. Door supervisors and their managers should grasp this opportunity to get licensed and avoid prosecution."
