Armbands to identify door staff

The armbands all display industry-regulated ID cards

People going out in Newport will be able to spot door staff instantly after they were issued with glow-in-the-dark armbands.

All door staff will have to display their identity card on the armbands, and will not be allowed to work if they do not have one.

The scheme was proposed by Gwent Police following concerns that the public could not always identify staff easily.

Security firms have welcomed the chance to improve the image of door staff.

The yellow armbands display Security Industry Authority identity cards, and police believe pubbers and clubbers will feel safer knowing they can approach staff who are professionally registered.

Pc Rachael Honey, licensing officer for Newport, said: "This new initiative will solve so many problems late at night in the city centre.

"Firstly, people will be able to tell the difference between door staff and customers gathered outside premises.

Venues and police are working in close co-operation

"The high-visibility armbands give the door workers a professional image and anyone who feels threatened on a night out will be able to approach them for help."

Asher Rashid is area manager of Pro-guard Security which supplies door staff to a number of venues in Newport including Revolution, Page and Glitterball and thinks the scheme is a good idea.

"It will hopefully change the negative image door staff have had in the past.

"Customers who feel threatened or hassled in any way can approach us by looking for the armbands, which glow both inside and outside venues.

"The armbands protect door workers against false allegations too, because they can be clearly seen by the CCTV cameras in the city centre."

Revolution's deputy manager Dave Wallbank believes the armbands promote a more professional image of door staff.

"We fully support this police scheme and we appreciate the hard work they have put in to get it going," he added.