Bouncers in club attack suspended
DOORMEN AND VENUE STRIPPED OF LICENSES AFTER TEENAGER SUFFERS BLEED ON BRAIN
THE security industry watchdog has suspended the licences of eight bouncers involved in an attack on two teenagers outside Factory nightclub in Manchester.
It means they cannot legally work on any doors within the licensable sector, the Security Industry Authority said.
The SIA, the body responsible for regulating the private security industry, said the suspension would be in place ‘pending further enquiries,’ and added that it was working with police.
The nightclub - also known as FAC251 - has been closed since the incident in the early hours of Sunday.
And on Wednesday, the Princess Street venue was temporarily stripped of its licence while a full review is carried out.
The emergency licensing meeting held by the council followed the emergence of video footage showing bouncers throwing punches as two 18-year-olds - St Helens academy rugby league player Joe Sharratt and Manchester University student Leon Cooper - were attacked.
Requesting the suspension, police told the meeting of the council’s licencing committee that it had ‘extreme concerns’ about the level of violence used in the attack. The suspension was not challenged by Factory.
In a statement to the M.E.N. the Security Industry Authority said: “Violent conduct is unacceptable. We are working with the police to assist them with their ongoing investigation. ”We suspended the licences of the eight door supervisors involved in the incident. They cannot legally work in any licensable sector pending further enquiries. “Protecting the public is our priority and combating violence in the nighttime economy is an important part of this. All door supervisors are trained in conflict management and on how to reduce the risk of situations escalating. “Door supervision licence holders are also required to take mandatory training in physical intervention, which emphasises the use of safe techniques. It also states that physical intervention should be used as a last resort, and that the use of strikes is high risk and should be avoided.” Mr Sharratt, said to have suffered a bleed on the brain, was shown on the footage being punched to the floor before a volley of successive blows are thrown at his friend, Mr Cooper, who is said to have suffered bruising and swelling to his head and body. St Helens said Mr Sharratt was ‘recovering well.’ Factory has parted company with its third party security contractor. Professional Security meanwhile, the firm which provided the bouncers, said all eight men have been dismissed. Security Industry Authority