ONLY a handful of Bournemouth's 600 door staff will be licensed when a new national registration scheme is launched next month, sparking fears of a rise in violence on the resort's streets.

Door supervisors who work illegally, licensees found flouting the law and security company bosses face unlimited fines or being sent to prison for up to five years.

Geoff Hill, managing director of Tuckton-based Alamo Security, revealed that only 70 licences had been issued in the South West where 8,500 door staff are employed.

"Locally only a handful of door staff will have obtained Security Industry Authority licences by September 13 which will mean that pubs and clubs will be operating with little or no security.

"The public order consequences do not bear thinking about. While the police and local authority have done their utmost to help, the SIA has stated that anyone working without a licence after the deadline will be prosecuted."

Security companies say the £400 fee for obtaining a licence will cost them dearly as more door staff decide to call it a day and potential new recruits are put off by high training costs.

"There is going to be a staff shortage which will cause problems at peak periods. We have not enough workers to cover our current contracts," stressed Mr Hill.

"Although we are reassuring our staff that as long as they have applied for licences by September 13 the police will be sympathetic, some will refuse to risk prosecution."

In a bid to break the stalemate, security companies have enlisted the help of Bournemouth East MP David Atkinson.

In a letter to Mr Atkinson, they have expressed their "grave misgivings" about the new legislation and warn it could have "a catastrophic impact on constituents' well-being."

Dorset police licensing co-ordinator Dick Hudson said: "There are issues and concerns which need to be addressed.

"We are working with all parties to ensure the transition from local authority schemes to the SIA scheme is as smooth as possible.

"Our prime concern is public safety. Provided door staff have made the effort to get licences we will not be taking enforcement action.

"But the same will not apply to those who have ignored the legislation. Every case will be treated on its merits," Mr Hudson added.

First published: August 26