A former policeman has warned tighter controls on bouncers will leave hundreds of pubs and nightclubs with staffing problems.

Rob Burlace, a bobby for 17 years, says new regulations will leave many venues struggling to find properly qualified door staff.

To obtain a compulsory new licence, workers in the private security industry will have to prove they have had no involvement in crime for up to five years and most will have to gain a qualification before the Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) comes into force in February.

It has been estimated the regulations, managed by the Security Industry Authority, could leave 40 per cent of pub and nightclub bouncers without a job.

Under the PSIA, it will be an offence to provide a service covered by the legislation without a licence, to employ someone without a licence or falsely claim approved status.

Rob runs a small Brighton-based training and event management company called Eventra which provides courses leading to national qualifications recognised under the Act. His company has teamed up with London-based counterparts The Training School to help businesses comply with the changes to the law.

The Government wants to increase the level of professionalism in the private securities industry, which also covers wheel-clampers and cash couriers.

But Rob said a sluggish response to the Act from pub and nightclub operators could leave many struggling to cope when it is implemented.

A lack of understanding and delays in obtaining qualifications and processing applications would leave many premises unable to open without breaking the law.

He said: "Many involved in the industry do not realise is it is the task that is licensed not a person's job title. For instance, independent bar owners who hire their own door supervisors but never work on the door themselves will need a non-frontline licence.

"But if they ever work the door themselves, to control access or become involved in the functions of a door supervisor, they must obtain a frontline licence."

Rob, events manager for the Pride festival, feared the pressure to comply with the law would push some operators and training providers into cutting corners.

He said: "This goes against the ethos and intention of the legislation, which is to improve the quality and service delivery of door supervisors. The days of the 'bouncer' should be behind us."

Thursday September 16, 2004