National rollout of doorstaff group

A national roll-out of local pubwatch-style groups for doorstaff, to share information on troublemakers and promote best practice, is being planned.

Doorwatch sees door supervisors keeping in contact with each other and police and bringing information on troublemakers to the attention of licensees.

The scheme originated in Tiverton in Cornwall where it was credited with achieving a 17% drop in alcohol-related disorder. It operates in other parts of the region, plus Coventry, and is expected to start in Nottingham.

Security expert Ian Fox, a director of the Institute of Conflict Management, is helping to co-ordinate the scheme nationally, along with its founders Gerald Eva and Jason Gardner.

There are plans for local co-ordinators and a national committee, mirroring the set-up of the National Pubwatch scheme.

A central website is being devised to share best practice and promote the positive side of the industry. It will also lobby on various issues affecting doorstaff.

In addition, ideas for campaigns on civil action against thugs who attack doorstaff, and providing a counseling service are being considered. Services would be free.

National Pubwatch chairman Steve Baker said: "I welcome anything that improves the professionalism of doorstaff.

"However, I would offer a few words of caution. I would not want to see doorstaff or police using the new organisation to influence the running of licensed premises at arms length.

"The term 'doorwatch' suggests a similar function to that already effectively carried out by existing pubwatch schemes. There should be no confusion as to the role of doormen and licensees in the management of licensed premises."

He suggested a name change for doorwatch to avoid confusion.

Fox stressed: "It's up to the pubwatch to decide who gets banned. We are absolutely not involved in that decision. Our role is to communicate information that helps make the night-time economy safer for all."

How Tiverton's scheme works​

Doorwatch is an associate member of Pubwatch, said licensing officer Mike Sais.

If the Doorwatch believes someone should be banned, it will present the case, with police evidence if appropriate, to the Pubwatch.

The Pubwatch group, consisting of licensees, will then decide if they are banned or not.

Sais said doorstaff can offer information on troublemakers who cause problems directly outside venues — licensees often miss this, he said.

He said Doorwatch is "not going to over-ride Pubwatch". "They are two separate organisations, but they work hand in hand."