Rules for Club Bouncers and Door Staff

Can Bouncers Search You UK?

In fact the law does allow bouncers (e.g. security staff on the door) to search entrants. They can search people to see if they have drugs or are carrying offensive weapons (e.g. knives, guns).

But, even though clubs do have the legal right to search anyone attempting to enter their premises, they must provide searchers of both sexes. Thus, they need to have female staff to search women and male staff members to search men.

Clubs should provide a clear and visible notice that displays their policy for searching and how members of the public can make a complaint.

Here's how it works:

In the United Kingdom, doorman search powers allow them to refuse entry to any person who refuses a search. But, the actual search must be confined to bags, pockets, and outside clothing (e.g. a jacket).

They would need your permission to conduct a 'legal' strip search. You would also have to give consent for any search made on your interior clothing. Either way, these types of searches must be conducted in private and in the presence of an independent witness.

Under United Kingdom law, only customs staff and police officers can perform strip searches without your agreement. So, the grounds for bouncer assault can include:

• Being searched on your inside clothing.
• Having a door supervisor conduct a strip search on you without your permission.

Can a Bouncer Detain You in UK?

Let's look into your rights in greater detail. In fact, security guards have the same legal powers as any member of the public (nothing extra). Because of that particular law, they need to have your consent before searching you.

Note: You are free to walk away if you do not give consent!

Forcible detainment (e.g. detaining someone against their will) can only occur if bouncers make a citizen's arrest. They would need some evidence that you committed an offence to do so.

Most bouncers and security guards will receive door supervisor training on what they can and cannot do - as part of getting an SIA licence (details below).

As such, they will understand that making the wrong call can result in a lawsuit for assault or for false imprisonment.

Clubs and other business premises can legally ban you from entering even without evidence of a crime. In short, private enterprise can choose who they do business with.

Note: Check out your discrimination rights if you suspect that someone is targeting you because of your background or race.

Can a Bouncer Use Excessive Force or Violence?

• The law does not allow doormen to engage in excessive force or violence as they see fit.
• As a rule, bouncers can only use force if someone uses it against them in the first place.
• These bouncer rules and regulations fall under the right to use self-defense in the United Kingdom. In this way, club bouncers rights are the same as any member of the public or ordinary citizen.

Door supervisor training will include tactical guidance for bouncers on conflict management and the use of communication skills, including:

• How to refuse someone's entry into the premises.
• How to eject a person in ways that reduce conflict.
• Identifying the different types of incidents and how to deal with them.
• Understanding how the law of arrest works in the private security industry.

What Specific Tasks Can Bouncers Perform?

United Kingdom law allows door supervisors to perform certain duties or tasks and to make measured responses, such as:

• Checking patrons for proof of their identification. A bouncer can take your ID if they believe it to be altered in some way, counterfeit, or it fails to match the details of the person presenting it.
• Issue verbal warnings and ask you to leave the premises.
• Protect innocent bystanders from confrontation or from incidents of violence.
• Break up hostile fights that they are not involved in.
• Respond with equal force where appropriate or necessary (if someone attacks them).
• Contact the local police force.
• Refuse entry to any customer who:
  • Fails to follow the policies of the establishment.
  • Acts disorderly or is too intoxicated.
  • Engages in argumentative or aggressive behaviour.

Note: People who are drunk or disorderly must leave the premises if requested to do so by a doorman. You would be committing an offence if you fail to leave the premises when asked to do so (unless you had a reasonable excuse not to).

What are Club Bouncers Trained to Do?

Most door staff (men and women) will have received proper training to an appropriate level in how to handle confrontations with the public. For example, SIA training helps them to remedy situations using verbal communication instead of physical force.

As a general rule, club bouncers will be big 'mean-looking muscle-bound guys' who look like they can handle themselves in a fight. So, their visible presence alone is often enough to deter most kinds of aggressive behaviour.

Even so, despite the physical requirements they would also receive specialist training in other important areas, such as:

• Awareness of the Law in the Private Security Industry
• Health and Safety for the Private Security Operative
• Fire Safety Awareness
• Emergency Procedures

What are Bouncers Not Allowed to Do?

Door supervisors must not use 'unreasonable force'. But, they will be acting within bouncer laws when using reasonable and proportionate force to:

• Defend themselves or other people.
• Protect property.
• Prevent a crime or make a lawful arrest.

Note: As a rule, door staff and club bouncers are not permitted to strike any patron with a kick or with a punch. Some mitigating exceptions may apply for one or more of the above circumstances.

The law does not prevent the use of a choke-hold or face down restraints. But, expert recommendations suggest it is best to avoid these 'potentially harmful techniques' where possible.

What if You get Assaulted by a Bouncer or Doorman?

Members of the public can make an assault claim against an individual doorman or a team. They can also make claims against an establishment that employs bouncers.

Follow these basic steps if you were assaulted by a bouncer or a doorman:

1. Create a written report of the details while the incident is still fresh in your mind. Describe the whole incident including any circumstances leading up to the assault. Your report should also include anything relevant that happened after the assault.
2. Include the dates and times in your notes. You should also add the full address of where the incident took place.
3. Ask the authorities to give you copies of any police reports (where applicable). They may be helpful for a legal team to use in court.
4. It is important to get the contact information of the bouncer who assaulted you. Try to get written information from any witnesses to the incident as well.
5. Most establishments who employ doormen require them to make written incident reports. This is especially so any time bouncers use physical force. It is a good idea to request a copy of any such incident report from the employer.

Note: Legal experts say it is important that any investigation into an incident of bouncer assault looks at the broad picture. It must include the events that occurred before, during, and after the altercation.

In some cases, video footage may provide clearer evidence. There are several important areas for the authorities to consider when it comes to incidents such as these.

Applying for a Door Supervisor Licence (SIA)

You will need to get a door supervisor licence if your job involves guarding a licensed premises. For this purpose, a licensed premises is one that is open to the public and sells alcohol or it provides regulated entertainment.

To meet the door supervisor licence eligibility criteria, you must:

• Be at least eighteen (18) years old
• Pass an identity check
• Pass a criminal record check
• Have a recognised qualification in door supervision

Note: A door supervisor licence is not a legal required if your job only involves the use of closed-circuit television (e.g. CCTV surveillance) equipment.

Door Supervisor Qualifications

You would need a qualification in door supervision recognised by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) before applying for a licence.

The SIA Door Supervisor Training course contains four (4) modules and three (3) exams. The schooling takes at least four (4) days to complete and the topics you study are:

• The 'Common' module according to SIA
• Door supervision module
• Conflict management module
• Physical intervention skills module

SIA Licence Integration

The door supervisor licence is a qualification to earn around £13 an hour and it integrates with other licences. It would authorise you to carry out other activities (e.g. be a keyholder or work as a security guard).

Note: The short video [4:17 seconds] presented by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has further information on how to be a bouncer and how the process of security officer training works.