New laws requiring bouncers, wheel clampers and security guards to be
registered may force many workers out of their jobs and push up staff costs.
The changes require those working in the sectors to pass a criminal
background check and reach set levels of training and professional standards.
It will be a criminal offence to work in these sectors without a licence from
the newly-launched Security Industry Authority (SIA).
SIA chief executive John Saunders estimated up to 40 per cent of bouncers
will not be eligible for a licence.
To qualify for a licence, workers have to have been conviction-free for two
years. Those who have committed serious offences must have been on the straight
and narrow for at least five years.
Su Beacham, director of personnel and training at JD Wetherspoon, says the
law will not create too much of a problem at her firm because it uses agencies
to supply doormen for its pubs.
"[The new laws] will exclude some people, but I don’t think it will be
that much of an issue for us," she said.
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