Norwich Door supervisors have been learning new skills to help deal with terrorism and dangerous situations that may arise.

A new security management course trains door supervisors to “very high standards” so they are well equipped to deal with any untoward situation involving a member of the public.

Managing director of Norwich Premier Security Services, said he saw the benefits of having his senior staff trained to deal with the potentially life threatening issues of modern society.

He said: ‘Training has always been needed in this area and although all door staff are given basic training we want them to stand out from the rest with specialist skills.’

‘The course gives staff the ability to deal with situations that at the moment just the head doorman deals with. They are given conflict management skills, how to radio communicate with staff, deal with different situations and crowd management.’

The course is designed to ensure those who are ultimately responsible for public safety have the “tools” to do the job. The head door supervisor needs to lead by example when situations become volatile or dangerous.

DSTO director, Rob Knowles, said: ‘It is important that the public understand that they can enjoy an evening out at a club and be assured that the staff in charge of security are fully trained and professional.’

For more about beSmart’s Door Supervisor courses, please click here.

A new legislation will tackle rogue wheel clampers who charge drivers hundreds of pounds for minutes of illegal parking.

The Home Office is considering setting a limit of £135 for a clamping charge – much below the several hundred pounds people in Wokingham have been forced to pay out.

The town’s two main companies, Parking Control Management and Trinity Parking Solutions, regularly charge drivers £385 for being clamped.

This includes £125 to release clamps and another £250 to cancel the cost of a recovery truck being called out.

Councillor Keith Baker, executive member for highways and transport, said:

‘I think the crux of the matter is the charges. These need to be reasonable and fair so where charges are excessive I think there ought to be some mechanism for controlling that.’

‘This could take the form of a code of conduct or legislation about the charges.’

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has announced the Home Office will look at introducing compulsory licensing for clamping companies.

Numerous drivers have reported the clampers carrying out dodgy practices including excessive penalties, hidden signs which do not warn drivers of the full cost and no real appeals process.

At the moment, the wheel clampers must have a licence from the SIA, while company directors and supervisors have a non-frontline licence.

The new proposals would mean the company itself would have to be licensed to help make sure the standards of conduct are upheld.

Ms Smith said: ‘There are clearly a minority of clamping companies indulging in unacceptable behaviour including unclear signage and excessive fees.’

‘That is why we intend to look carefully at how we can introduce a scheme for compulsory licensing of clamping companies and will publish proposals shortly.’

For more information about BeSmart Training’s Vehicle Immobilisation courses, please click here.

Kettering town centre will see the introduction of metal detectors and ultra violet lights in pubs to check if customers are carrying weapons or drugs.

A new scheme will see door supervisors use the equipment to screen customers for six months to test how effective it is.

The metal detection equipment will enable door staff to spot weapons, while the UV lights can be used to identify people who may have been handling certain drugs.  The UV lights will also help to identify fake IDs being used by underage people.

If the project is successful it is hoped more funding will be offered  to supply  equipment to all pubs and clubs in the town centre.

Some of the funding for the project has come from two local councillors, Keli Watts and David Bishop.

Councillor Watts said: ‘We feel everyone should feel safe and protected when they go into pubs.’

The manager of The Peacock and chairman of Kettering Pubwatch, said: ‘We are constantly working with the council and police to improve the night time environment for visitors to the town centre and our customers.

Councillor Alan Pote said: ‘This is an innovation in so far as it will, hopefully, indicate to revellers that anti social behaviour through alcohol abuse, will not be tolerated. ‘

He added: ‘It is to be hoped that these measures will make people think twice before embarking on anti social actions.’

For more information about beSmart’s doorman training please click here.

Youngsters without a job are being trained up as door supervisors for city pubs and clubs.

Dave Boafo, 21, is among those who have taken the door supervisor course and has been working as a door supervisor at a number of venues around the city centre for the past few months.

He said: ‘I would not be working right now if it wasn’t for this course. I would probably be wasting my time. I really enjoy the work.’

People who have completed the course take a test and must then have a Criminal Records Bureau check before they can apply for a badge to work as a licensed door supervisor.

The course is open to men and women, who can work at offices and building sites as well as pubs and clubs.

Morris Samuels is one of the founders of Unity, which began as a football project in 2005. It aims to bring together young people from across the city, and break down gang rivalries.

He said: ‘I have done door work for a number of years and it has all changed now. In the 80s you could get guys that had just come out of prison with a bit of brawn working on the doors with no social skills.’

‘The football has brought a lot of guys together. As door supervisors as well they have got to look after each other now. They are on the door, they can’t be seen to be fragmented.’

For more information on beSmart’s door supervisor training, please click here.