Door supervisors to be more visible

The armbands allow door supervisors to display their official licences where they can easily be seen.

Previously door supervisors displayed their licences around their necks.

This means it hasn't always been easy to identify who is a door supervisor and who isn't.

Door supervisors' licences need to be easily visible to the local people, the police, the Security Industry Authority and licensing officers from the local council.

Council officers and the police make regular night time visits to pubs and clubs to check that door supervisors are properly licensed.

Pendle Council co-ordinated a successful bid for funding to the East Lancashire Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Steering Group, on behalf of the five borough councils in East Lancashire.

Funding was given for the reflective armbands which will be split between Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Rossendale councils.

Councillor David Whipp, who oversees Community Safety in Pendle, said :

"It's important that licensed door supervisors can be clearly identified.

"These new reflective armbands are much easier for everyone to see.

"They make it easier for staff who monitor CCTV to separate the identity of door supervisors from other people when watching CCTV footage.

"That's vital when their job is one of keeping East Lancashire residents safe."

A spokesperson for the Security Industry Authority (SIA), who issue all door supervisor licences, said :

"As one of the licensing conditions, all door staff must wear their SIA licence when on duty.
 
"Reflective armbands mean the licence is clearly visible, helping to show quickly that door supervisors are trained and SIA licensed, as well as helping the police and the public to more easily identify them.
 
"This is another example of how doormen can play their part in keeping the busy night-time economy safe for the public."

Ian Treasure, Alcohol Harm Reduction and Commissioning Manager for NHS East Lancashire, said :

"The East Lancashire Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Group gave these five councils the money for the armbands.

"We feel there is a link to our aim to save a million years of life by 2011. We want people to drink responsibly in well run licensed premises.

"We're trying to help local people by making the venues they go drinking in safer.

"The strategy group wants local people to be reassured that door staff are properly qualified. They have a key role in ensuring that people are kept safe."