Young clubbers 'fingerprinted'

Police welcome new security measures at Chelmsford nightclub

An Essex nightclub is helping police to pioneer a new digital identification system to screen people as they are admitted to the premises.

Staff at the Cave in Chelmsford are taking digital images and electronic fingerprints of clubbers, and storing them on their database.

Owner Joe Ferrari aims to reduce underage drinking as well as give door staff an effective identification system which will increase security.

He said: "The system produces a scan not a police-type fingerprint as such but it helps people because they only have to bring their ID once.

Details kept on database

"Next time they visit they just put their finger on the screen and up comes their details and it verifies they are 18 - so it is really to stop underage drinking.

"A lot of people do not carry ID like driving licences or passports. Here they just bring evidence of identity just once."

Police want to use the system at more night spots and say it is a natural progression from the "no-nonsense" bouncer.