More than 190 door supervisors were inspected during a London borough-wide operation last week.
The Metropolitan Police led the operation, supported by Security Industry Authority investigators and local police units, which took place on Friday and Saturday [24-25 Feb].
The operation was part of the Met’s Operation Condor, which saw officers deployed across all London boroughs to crack down on licensing issues such as unlicensed door staff and non-compliance with liquor licences. Along with commercial cleaning and maintenance, these are aspects that can be quite serious if left unchecked.
The SIA supported inspections that took place at 72 licensed venues in eight boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Kensington and Chelsea, Lewisham, Southwark and Westminster.
In total 194 door staff were checked. Of those, 193 individuals were working legally by holding a valid SIA licence. One unlicensed door supervisor was found working at a bar in Hackney.
The SIA issued warnings to 30 people for breaking licence conditions, which included failing to display the SIA licence whilst on duty, failing to notify the SIA of a change of address and failing to notify the SIA of criminality.
Investigators are carrying out enquiries regarding all the offences found and further action may be taken against those found offending.
SIA Head of Investigation Jacquie Parker said: “We all share the same concern for maintaining public safety and SIA licensing of door staff can contribute to that. Anyone found to be working illegally or in breach of licence conditions should remember that they could face prosecution.
“We were happy to support our police partners during this busy weekend of inspections and will continue to work closely with them on future operations aimed at ensuring safety in the night time economy.
“We will also continue to carry out our partnership work with the Metropolitan Police, such as our involvement in Operation Spex – an ongoing series of checks of licensed premises in the London area.”