Moves to clarify fake ID seizure welcomed
Moves to empower doorstaff to confiscate fake or borrowed ID have been welcomed by the chairman of the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS).
Robert Humphreys has welcomed the Home Office led campaign which also emphasises that youngsters are committing crimes by using false ID.
He said: "This is very welcome as there has been a lot of confusion about this issue with police in different parts of the country giving different advice to licensees.
"It also send the message to young people that this isn't a game and that they are committing an offence."
He added that PASS encourages licensees or doorstaff to take ID if they are not convinced it is genuine and give the customer a receipt while investigations take place.
The Home Office campaign, which has been endorsed by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), also encourages doorstaff to seize ID which they deem to be counterfeit or borrowed.
Tony Clarke, chairman of the BSIA's leisure industry security section, said: "Underage drinkers often face only minor consequences for attempting to use a fake ID, and many do not realise the extent to which their behaviour can affect the livelihoods of barstaff and door supervisors, whose jobs are at risk if they allow young people access to bars and clubs.
"Hopefully, the threat of confiscation and potential prosecution will go some way towards redressing this balance."
In August The Publican reported how staff at Que Pasa in Chelmsford, Essex, had been warned by police that they could face legal action if they continued to confiscate fake ID.
An Essex Police spokesman told The Publican: "Senior officers and our legal department have been asked by the Home Office to clarify a number of issues surrounding the seizure of documents by door staff and these discussions are still going on".
