THOUSANDS of people could be let loose in Bournemouth's pubs and clubs without supervision if chaos surrounding new rules for door supervisors continues, it has been warned.

Just seven of 200 door staff employed by three major Bournemouth security companies have received their new licences despite all of them applying before the government deadline.

And they have threatened to boycott their vital roles if any of their number are punished.

The new rules came into effect this week, meaning the vast majority are effectively breaking the law if they continue to help to maintain law and order in the town's licensed premises.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA), behind the new licensing scheme, has stressed it will enforce its own rules from September 13 and has warned: "It is not our intention to move that date."

But police in Dorset have told door supervisors they can continue to work until the end of November in the hope that registration with the SIA will be complete by that date.

"The police are saying one thing and the SIA are saying another," said Geoff Hill, managing director of Alamo Security in Bournemouth. "We have been told we can work until November 30, as long as door supervisors have applied to the SIA, but the licensees have been told they are breaking the law if they employ us."

Mr Hill, speaking on behalf of a recently-formed security forum in Bournemouth, warned that pubs and clubs could be left unsupervised if anyone is prosecuted by the SIA.

"If any of our staff are arrested by the SIA for not having a licence, even though they have applied, appropriate action will be taken," he said.

"This may include the non-provision of security cover where we feel our operatives may be in danger of arrest despite complying fully with local authority requests."

He said pubs and clubs are allowed to operate without door staff but warned the result would be chaos and would put people's safety in jeopardy.

In a letter to licensees, Adrian Whiting, assistant chief constable of Dorset, said: "From September 13 2004 it will be an offence for a door supervisor to work as such without an SIA licence and for licenses to employ unlicensed door supervisors.

"You should be aware that those contravening the above requirements will be liable to prosecution."

But a letter to Mr Hill from licensing officer Dick Hudson said: "The policy that has been agreed allows for a discretionary approach to enforcement until November 30, 2004."

He said that in the case of those who can prove they have applied to the SIA: "I would not expect any further action to follow during the initial period."

First published: September 15