Date: 28th December 2007
Source: Wigan Today
Foreign security staff worries
The boss of Wigan's biggest pub and club security firms today voiced concerns that immigrants, both legal and illegal, are undermining his industry.
Mick Lyons says he has been baffled by the number of overseas candidates, some of whom he suspects are in the UK illegally, coming to him for work with apparently all the correct paperwork and training and yet unable to speak English and therefore unable to do the job.
Only last month it emerged that 11,000 migrants were issued with the licences by the organisation set up to vet those employed as security guards and doormen, despite having no right to work in this country.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said that the Security Industry Authority has written to more than 10,000 people telling them that their authorisation could be withdrawn.
The SIA has admitted that a form given to those seeking a licence does not contain a question asking them if they have the right to work in the United Kingdom.
At a time when would-be doormen from this country have been vetted and trained as never before, Mr Lyons says questions need to be asked if the same stringent checks are being applied to everyone.
He said: "I am getting increasingly worried about weaknesses or discrepancies in the licensing system.
"We have bent over backwards to get our lads fully trained and licensed. You have to pay £245 for the badge for three years and you pay another £140 for training, but we have had lads turning up from abroad asking for work and it just doesn't add up.
"You compare their badges to the SIA website and it's OK but a lot can barely speak a word of English.
"That worries me. Being able to communicate with customers is one of the most important parts of the job and you have to wonder how they managed to complete the training properly without the language skills.
Several I have asked about how they paid for the badge and they said they didn't pay anything.
"If this is the case, that is very unfair when other staff have had to pay. It also worries me about checking criminal backgrounds. I know lads who have been denied a badge because they slapped someone years ago and yet for all we know, some of these people coming from overseas could have a list of serious convictions and there is no guarantee we will know about it."
Mr Lyons said he had taken on several overseas candidates but none of them had lasted long.
A spokesman for the Home Office said that the issues raised by Mr Lyons largely concerned the workings of the independent SIA, although he added that it is up to an individual employer to check on the immigration status of a candidate.
He also confirmed that the Criminal Records Bureau only had details on crimes committed in Britain.
Wigan Today
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Date: 28th December 2007
Source: BBC News
Door staff in more spot checks
LESS than a third of bouncers in West Lothian were found to be properly licensed in a police spot check.
Officers went round clubs and pubs in the county and found that less than a third of door stewards were found working with Security Industry Authority licences.
The shock findings came during the second week of the current Safer Scotland initiative carried out by Lothian and Borders Police and Security Industry Authority (SIA).
In total, 10 premises were checked out on Saturday, December 15 and of the 30 stewards interviewed only seven were SIA licensed.
As a result, nine formal warnings were issued.
Chief Inspector Jim Baird, of Lothian and Borders Police, said he was disappointed.
He said: “This was a snap survey carried out of 10 licensed premises in the area and to find so many door stewards working illegally was unacceptable.
“We hope those premises who have been issued with the warnings will take heed and only use licensed stewards.”
Jennifer Pattinson, a Head of Investigation at the SIA, said: “All door staff need to be licensed by the SIA to be able to work legally.”
Commenting on the findings of the police survey Linlithgow MSP Mary Mulligan said: ”The licensing system is there to ensure best practice in the industry and safeguard the public.”
West Lothian
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Date: 20th December 2007
Source: Surrey Online
Thug admits biting off doorman's ear
A THUG has admitted biting a doorman's ear off in a vicious rage.
Derrick Thompson, 20, from Broadfield, attacked a Liquid & Envy bouncer when he was asked to leave the premises in September.
He sunk his teeth into staff member Chirag Patel's ear and ripped it from his head.
Mr Patel spoke exclusively to the News after the attack and revealed that he was left to pick his bloody ear off the nightclub floor.
It was later put in a plastic bag for storage, but doctors told him the wound was too extreme for surgery.
Thompson, who pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm last week, is said to have downed a litre of spirits before entering the club, in Station Way, on September 26.
Speaking at Lewes Crown Court, Dale Sullivan, prosecuting, said Thompson was asked to leave following an argument outside the ladies' toilets.
He said: "There was an altercation between them. Mr Patel asked Thompson to leave the nightclub,whereby the situation developed. Thompson bit off about twothirds of his right ear."
George Hepburne-Scott, defending, told the court staff punched Thompson and dragged him into a room.
The court heard that Thompson suffered a broken nose, cuts to his hands, shoulder and chest, a swollen head and bruising to his throat.
The pair were taken to East Surrey Hospital, in Redhill, after the incident and put in beds next to each other.
The doorman claimed Thompson looked through his curtain and laughed while he said: "Anyone for an ear?"
After last Wednesday's hearing,Detective Constable Steve Harries said: "It was an horrific attack. It has caused a lot of distress and pain to Mr Patel.
"The guilty plea is wel-come because it will save the victim from coming to court and giving evidence. He can now move on and get on with his life."
The court heard Thompson, of Abraham Road, has previous convictions for violence.
He will appear back at Lewes Crown Court for sentencing on January 23.
Surrey Online
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Date: 17th December 2007
Source: BBC News
ID sites 'aid underage drinkers'
Underage drinkers are making use of websites which churn out false driving documents and proof-of-age cards for as little as £10 each, the BBC has found.
A simple search reveals a huge number of websites selling "100% convincing" fake IDs "guaranteed to fool anyone".
The sites carry legal disclaimers stating the cards are "novelty" products, not copies of official IDs.
But youth workers told Radio Five Live Report they believe the cards are being marketed to underage drinkers.
Rigorous checks
Mike Davis, who owns a convenience store in Polzeath in Cornwall, seized 100 fake IDs in just six weeks during the school holidays.
"I tell parents I've taken a fake ID from their child and they don't know they're available on the internet," he said.
But the websites appear to be well known to many young people under the legal drinking age.
After midnight in Belfast City Centre, one 17 year old said he had spent several hours drinking in a bar after gaining admission with a fake student card.
Plenty of others said they had just turned 18, but had been getting into nightclubs and bars for several years.
In Liverpool, it was a similar story.
"What else are you supposed to do at that age?" said one teenage drinker who started using fake ID when he was 15.
In both cities, most late night venues seemed to examine ID rigorously.
But some clubs reportedly have a reputation as being an easy place for under-18s to have a drink.
Door staff at these venues do not seem to be inspecting ID closely, despite many of their customers looking as if they could have been under 18.
Strict laws
If licensed premises are caught serving under-18s, they face heavy penalties - including losing their licence and fines of up to £5,000.
The British Beer and Pub Association recommends that its members ask for ID if the customer looks 21 or under.
It says that the licensed trade is turning away a million young people a year for being underage or having no ID.
"In the vast majority of bars and clubs, it's impossible to get a drink if you're under 18," says Paul Smith, chief executive of the Bars, Entertainment and Dance Association.
Five Live Report ordered a fake "driving permit" online and showed it to Inspector David Connery, the head of crime prevention at the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
"It really worries me these fakes are out there," he said, pointing out anyone found using one faces getting a criminal record.
"The more discerning doorman will know it's false - but on a busy night it could easily fool people.
"If you are caught using a false ID getting into licensed premises you will be reported."
He also warns anyone "lending" their own genuine ID to underage drinkers could be charged with aiding and abetting an offence.
The BBC contacted several fake ID firms for an interview, but none responded.
The site which comes out on top when you search for fake ID through leading internet search engines carries a warning addressed to the press.
"We discourage the attempted use of our cards for the purposes of misrepresentation, both here and in the documentation supplied with our delivered fake ID products," it states.
But youth workers and publicans say they are in no doubt that the fake cards are marketed to underage drinkers.
They argue that the firms selling the cards are immoral and endangering people's licences and livelihoods.
Bill McComb, who runs several alcohol and drugs awareness programmes in Ballymurphy in West Belfast, says: "The companies know that young people are using these cards for an illegal purpose."
Five Live Report: The Faking Game will be broadcast at 1930 GMT on Sunday, 16 December.
BBC News
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Date: 17th December 2007
Source: Express & Star
Thugs jailed for attack on doorman
Three thugs who used a bottle and a can in a “totally gratuitous” attack on a doorman at a Black Country nightclub have been locked up.
Roy Wildman, Benjamin Crutchley and Janson Cooksey also punched and kicked the bouncer at Kinky Boots in Walsall Road, Darlaston, after attending a funeral.
CCTV footage of the assault was shown at Wolverhampton Crown Court, which heard the trio had been drinking all day.
Wildman, aged 32, of Bayley Crescent, Darlaston, was sentenced to 18 months in prison; Crutchley, aged 20, of Curtin Drive, Moxley, was given 15 months in a young offenders’ institute; and Cooksey, 21, of Stafford Road, Darlaston, ordered to spend 15 months in prison.
The attack took place on June 9, the court was told.
Wildman punched and kicked the doorman, while Cooksey attacked him with a bottle and Crutchley with a can. All three had previously pleaded guilty to affray.
Judge Michael Mott said: “The fact that you had been drinking doesn’t explain why you went for a man who had obviously done nothing wrong and was simply standing in the doorway.
“It was a totally gratuitous attack. Wildman, you were first with the punch and you were the leader of the pack.”
Miss Kanwal Juss, prosecuting, said the bouncer suffered “bumps and bruises” but was not seriously hurt.
Mr Mark Knowles, defending Wildman, said his client was a father-of-three who regretted his actions.
He said: “He can’t remember anything about this incident but he has seen the CCTV video and was appalled.”
Miss Wendy Miller, defending Cooksey, said he was a young man who did not usually drink and cause trouble. Mr Christopher O’Gorman, defending Crutchley, said his client had put all his “drinking and violent ways behind him” before this incident but had got involved
Express & Star
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Date: 13th December 2007
Source: BBC News
Thousands wrongly cleared to work
More than 6,600 illegal immigrants were wrongly cleared to seek security jobs in the UK, the home secretary has said.
The figure had been thought to be about 5,000 - but it has been revised following further checks by officials.
A further 4,400 people were given permits to apply for work when it was unclear whether they had permission to be employed, Jacqui Smith told MPs.
She insisted a "significant proportion" of this second group may yet prove they were legally able to seek work.
In a Commons statement, Ms Smith said the Border and Immigration Agency believed 6,653 people with Security Industry Authority (SIA) licences did not have the right to work in the UK. There was a question mark over a further 4,447.
Licences revoked
She said licences given to many employers were now being revoked.
Ms Smith said: "Visits to specific individuals and employers have already begun and swift action has been taken in those cases which merit it.
"A series of targeted enforcement operations will take place in the coming months with a view to prosecuting employers and removing or prosecuting individuals in the worst cases."
The SIA was set up to vet applicants for security jobs, and allows those who are successful to work on pub and club doors as well as in sensitive security posts.
Ms Smith said the SIA licence showed a successful applicant had undergone training as well as identity and criminal record checks.
It did not prove someone was entitled to work in the UK. That responsibility rested with employers, she said.
'Double lock'
But since 2 July new immigration status checks had been introduced by the SIA which, along with the employers' checks, would provide a "double lock on illegal working".
Hundreds of licences have since been refused.
Last month, Ms Smith announced that about 5,000 illegal immigrants had been working as security guards - but the figure has been revised upwards after checks on the 39,885 non-European Economic Area nationals licensed by the SIA before July 2 this year.
For the Conservatives, shadow home secretary David Davis said: "Last month we were told that there were 5,000 illegal foreign workers in the security industry. Then it was 10,000. Now it's up to 11,000."
He demanded to know how the system had "gone so badly wrong" and said there had been a "huge policy failure" in the Home Office.
Mr Davis said Ms Smith's claim that the SIA was not responsible for checking entitlement to work in Britain was not what the SIA said on its website. He said the SIA had led the security industry to believe it that it checked immigration status.
'Brewing scandal'
He questioned Ms Smith about her account of when she had informed the prime minister of the "brewing scandal" - Ms Smith has been criticised for failing to disclose details of the problem when she learned about it in July.
Ms Smith said 409 licences had been revoked of those checked from before 2 July and more than 10,000 letters "instituting revocation" had been sent - but there is a minimum 42-day period for revocation.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg described the situation as "keystone cops incompetence" and said that up to one in four of the 40,000 people licensed by the SIA were illegal.
He asked "what other scandals can we look forward to?"
The problem emerged after an enforcement operation in April discovered 44 people working at a security company who did not have the right to work in the UK - 12 had been subcontracted to a company that provided staff to guard locations under Metropolitan Police contracts.
Others were employed at ports and airports. One man had been guarding government cars - including that of the prime minister.
BBC News
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Date: 10th December 2007
Source: The Publican
Two out of three Scottish doorworkers found without licences
One of the first operation's carried out under the Security Industry Authority's (SIA) pre-Christmas crackdown has seen two out of three doorstaff issued with warnings.
During an exercise in and around Inverness on November 29 and 30, eleven out of 16 operatives checked were found to be working without an SIA licence, with just five deployed lawfully and were displaying their SIA licences.
The operation is further evidence that the door worker laws in Scotland, which came in on November 1 this year, have yet to make a major impact on the sector.
Jenny Pattinson, an SIA head of investigation said: “Security guards and door staff who work without an SIA licence, and those deploying them, are committing an offence and it is disappointing that the majority of those checked were not complying with the law.
“The security industry and night-time economy are growing and important sectors in Scotland. SIA licence holders are qualified and professional operatives and there is no longer a role for amateurs.”
Inspector Bob Pollock, at Northern Constabulary said: "We were extremely disappointed to find that 69% of those operatives checked during the joint Police, SIA operation were found to be working without an SIA licence. The provision of door stewards assists in the maintenance of public order and safety, and the purpose in having trained, registered door stewards is to provide the public with a service in which they can have confidence and trust.
"We would therefore join with our colleagues at the SIA in urging licensees to be certain that they are operating within the law when employing door stewards for their own, their customers, and the public's benefit."
Licensees are urged to check that their security suppliers operate within the law through the Register of Licence Holders are of the SIA website, at www.the-sia.org.uk, or by calling 0844 892 1025.
The Publican
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Date: 10th December 2007
Source: Paisley Daily Express
Door staff to use metal detectors
PUB and nightclub bouncers are being armed with metal detectors to crack down on Paisley’s lethal blade culture.
An anti-crime blitz is being launched in the town today in a bid to stamp out life-threatening violence during the festive weeks.
A police spokesperson told On The Beat: “This will stop people taking lethal weapons into clubs and pubs. That alone is a major step forward in tackling violent crime.
“Anyone who carries a knife is likely to use it if caught up in trouble.
“The consequences of that are horrific and could end in murder.”
Then he warned: “Revellers armed with a lethal weapon will be arrested and held in custody for court. That could result in a four-year jail sentence.”
The crackdown comes after the anti-blade project was given a £6,000 cash injection by Renfrewshire Council.
The police spokesman added: “Our message is clear. Don’t carry a blade in this town. If you are stupid enough to do so, you will be caught and jailed.”
Meanwhile, a £30,000 purge on booze-fuelled street disorder is also being launched today in East Renfrewshire, which takes in Barrhead, Neilston and Uplawmoor.
On the run-up to Christmas and New Year, officers will be out in force, especially at weekends.
They will be backed up by trouble-spotting community wardens, while youth workers are laying on a series of activities to steer youngsters away from causing bother.
Cops and trading standards teams plan to clamp down on off-sales and liquor stores selling booze to youngsters.
They will also be out to catch adults buying alcohol for children and on the lookout for drink drivers.
Scottish Government cash is paying for the blitz.
A police spokesperson said: “The CCTV camera network will be trained on hotspots and the CCTV police car will be on patrol.”
Put photo shoot of this launch in diary for Thursday, Dec 6
Paisley Daily Express
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Date: 6th December 2007
Source: BII
Essex Training Company wins prestigious award
NALDS Training Ltd was today announced as the winner of a prestigious BII NITA training award at the Globe Theatre in London in front of an audience of three hundred industry peers and influencers. The BII NITAs are run by BII, the professional body for the licensed retail sector, and are supported by The Publican.
NALDS Training Ltd, based in Braintree, Essex, was the winning entry in the BII NITA category Door supervisor training award sponsored by BIIAB and City & Guilds.
Prof. Conrad Lashley CMBII, Chairman of the judging panel said of the entry, "Judges were impressed by the quality of the approach to the delivery of training to these clients. There is clear evidence of an enthusiastic and reflective approach to planning, monitoring and adapting the provision in the light of experience. Judges were particularly impressed by the qualifications and experience profiles of the trainers employed in the programme. This in turn, resulted in training methods that
were varied as well as centred on active learning approaches and focused on the learning needs of participants."
John McNamara, BII Chief Executive, said, "The BII NITAs are the only nationally recognised training awards for the licensed trade. The awards recognise and reward training excellence in the trade, and winning a BII NITA is the ultimate endorsement of training excellence."
BII
NALDS Training
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Date: 6th December 2007
Source: Champion News
Man 'rubbed' bouncer's face with a broken bottle
A Southport man allegedly attacked a club bouncer and "rubbed" his face with a broken bottle, a court has heard.
Doorman Robert Lloyd, who worked at Bakers Bar in Southport, was in his car at traffic lights at the junction of Scarisbrick New Road and Ash Street, Southport when Moustafa Mahmoud approached the vehicle, it was claimed.
He threw a piece of wood at the car and Mr Lloyd wound the window down asked what he was doing to which Mahmoud responded with a V-sign, alleged Steven Ball, prosecuting.
Mr Lloyd, who recognised Mahmoud because of a incident about a month earlier at the Bakers Bar, then saw him threw a rock towards the car. Mr Lloyd got out of the car and Mahmoud had another item in his hand, it was claimed.
He went over to 51-year-old Mahmoud to speak to him but Mahmoud threw something at him which missed. He then hurled another item and began to goad Mr Lloyd telling him to come closer "so he could have his face smashed in," claimed Mr Ball.
Further objects were thrown and he then assaulted Mr Lloyd. During the attack he rubbed Mr Lloyd's face while apparently holding a broken beer bottle.
He also punched him a number of times before Mr Lloyd managed to restrain him in a headlock while Mahmoud was shouting abuse at him.
At hospital the victim's facial injuries were found to be consistent with those inflicted by a broken bottle. He also had a swollen lip and cuts to his neck and shoulder.
When interviewed Mahmoud claimed Mr Lloyd had been causing the trouble and denied throwing any rocks at the car. He said he had thrown some leaves and had punched Mr Lloyd once in self-defence after being hit several times himself.
He also denied having a broken bottle and could not explain the victim's injuries. "He said, 'If he had anything in his pocket he would have killed him and go to prison as he did not care because he would not have anyone humiliating him like this'." claimed Mr Ball.
Mahmoud, of Albert Road, Southport , denies assault causing actual bodily harm and attempted criminal damage on March 2.
The case continues
Champion News
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Date: 3rd December 2007
Source: Preston Citizen
Tributes to doorman killed in crash
A DOORMAN has died after his car hit a tree as he returned home from working at a Blackburn club.
Royston Stewart Orr, known as Roy, of Greenbank Park, Longridge, is believed to have lost control of his car during heavy rain and high wind.
Mr Orr, 35, who worked at Blackburn's popular Baroque bar in Northgate, hit a tree off Ribchester Road in the early hours of Saturday.
Poignant tributes mark the spot where the popular doorman lost his life.
The black Schott bomber jacket he wore for work has been left hanging on the tree accompanied by flowers.
Police say the accident happened between 3am and 3.55am.
A driver found the silver Peugeot 406 near to the Barker Brow Car Park near Copster Green.
Fire crews from Blackburn and Longridge were called as Mr Orr was trapped.
Crew manager Damian Hartley of Blackburn Fire and Rescue said: "We used cutting equipment to release one man from the car.
"Unfortunately, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Our sympathy goes to his family at this sad time."
Police have launched an investigation. They will try to establish if bad weather contributed to the collision.
A welder at Castle Cement by day, Roy also worked at various East Lancashire night spots, including the old Heaven and Hell nightclub in Blackburn and The Social and Key Steet Bar in Clitheroe.
Roy, who was a trained painter and decorator, had a passion for cars. He had restored a Porsche, a Capri and an Opel rally car.
He lived with his partner of two years, Hannah Dugdale, but still turned up at his sister Claire Astley's house when his washing needed doing.
Hannah, 21, who met Roy while on a night out in Clitheroe, said: "I remember meeting Roy. He was working and I was upset so he comforted me. I remember how caring he was and we started seeing each other and recently moved in together."
"He loved the house where we had just moved to."
Hannah was one of the last people to speak to Roy before the tragic accident.
She added: "He went to work that night in a really good mood. I texted him to ask how it was going and he said work was good and that was the last I heard from him.
"When we were told what happened it came as a complete shock. We are all devastated. We love him and will never forget him. We all miss him lots but we love him more."
Claire, 31, of Hayhurst Street, Clitheroe, said: "He was the kind of person that would do anything for anyone but he still turned up at my house every so often with washing. He was like a big kid really."
His family and friends say Roy will be remembered for his legendary cheeky grin. He was also an animal lover and adored his two rottweilers, Herman and Sid.
The family are asking for family flowers only and donations to be made to East Lancashire Hospice.
He is to be buried alongside his mum at Waddington Road Cemetery.
The funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.
Roy, who went to Brookside Primary School in Clitheroe before attending a high school in Manchester, also leaves his brothers, Craig, Ian, Kerry and David, and nieces and nephews.
His employer Tim Pye, owner of Baroque, said: "It's come as such a shock.
"It's just terrible, all the staff here and at the Royal Oak are devastated.
"I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to his family and let them know that we are thinking about them at this sad time."
Police are appealing for witnesses. Call 01254 51212.
Preston Citizen
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