Chief Superintendent Dave Pryer, of Sunderland Area Command, said: "Our message is to those who are managing premises in breach of their licence"
"They need to ensure they can comply with them or face the consequences because we are not going to go away.
"They have a responsibility to ensure the public are safe and the public have a right to feel safe when they go out."
The operation will hit Sunderland every Friday, Saturday and Monday night – the busiest in the city – and since launching last weekend has already netted some successes.
Two men havebeen arrested for allegedly working the doors without a licence and two premises were issued with rectification orders, giving bosses a chance to sort their venue out before police return.
Tonight, officers will once again be out in force as they hit city centre nightspots to check doormen are legally allowed to work, CCTV and other security equipment is properly in place and bar bosses are complying with their licensing requirements.
Officers will use drug-testing equipment kits in the toilets of many venues.
Mr Pryer said: "The vast majority of licensed premises in the city centre operate well and within the law. We are only targeting the ones who do not.
"The city centre is very important for the economy and employment and it's essential we have a vibrant city centre and nightlife because it's somewhere for people to come."
Anyone found breaching the law will be given a warning, summons, fixed penalty notice or could face closure.
The Security Industry Authority, which authorises door staff licences, regularly carries out checks on registered door staff and anyone found breaching the conditions of their license can have them pulled.
A spokeswoman said: "We work with partners, including police and Trading Standards, to regularly check the validity of licenses and check things like door staff have them on display, which is part of their license condition."
Anyone found flouting the law or breaching the conditions can have their licence revoked and can be arrested and prosecuted by police.
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Sunderland Echo |
