A paperwork pile-up has put door staff on a collision course with police, publicans have warned.
From February 28, every bouncer in Essex will need an official licence to work from the Security Industry Authority (SIA), proving they are trained and have no recent criminal convictions.
Chief Constable David Stevens has insisted no concessions will be granted to those who fail to comply in time.
But at a meeting of Colchester Pubwatch, licensees and door-firm bosses said a back-log of applications still to be processed meant staff who applied in good time for their certificates would not have received them by the deadline.
They said if all the door staff yet to be approved were barred from working, clubs would be forced to shut their doors.
But Sgt Mick Sharp, of Colchester police, told him: "If you don't have a driving licence you are not allowed to drive, and it is the same principle. I sympathise, but I can't say to the Chief Constable, 'change your policy'."
Sgt Sharp advised publicans who felt strongly about the problem to write to Colchester Chief Supt Dave Murthwaite.
Published Monday, January 31, 2005
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