SOME bouncers could face losing their jobs under new regulations that came into force this week to tighten control of the security industry.

But York private security businesses have welcomed the long-awaited licensing system, which will see workers forced to prove they have not been involved in crime for five years.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has begun to roll out regulations that will affect doormen, wheel clampers, security guards and private investigators.

Chief executive John Saunders estimated that up to 40 per cent of door supervisors will not be able to win a licence and that the private security industry could lose one in five of its 350,000 workers.

Paul Jackson, business manager of Prestige Security, has staff at three York nightclubs - Toffs, The Gallery and Ikon and Diva. He said some door staff may not satisfy the stricter regulations, but added that the industry in York was already run to a very high standard.

Neil Hudson, managing director of Ebor Security, said he doubted any of his 120 staff would be affected. He said: "This is going to help us. At the moment each individual area has its own badge scheme and staff often carry different licence badges which is expensive and time consuming."

A national scheme would standardise the industry, he added, and prevent staff members having to re-apply for a licence when they moved to a new area.

SIA chairwoman Molly Meacher said it was possible for those who committed serious crimes more than five years ago to be granted a licence at the SIA's discretion.

Mr Saunders said possession of an SIA licence would never be a "guarantee of absolute purity", adding that licensing of door staff should be completed by 2005.

Under the Private Security Industry Act it is an offence to provide a service covered by the legislation without a licence, to employ someone without a licence or falsely claim approved status.

York licensing officer PC Ashley Fitzhugh said the SIA scheme would replace the guidelines that already existed for doormen in York.

He said: "This is a much stricter scheme, which should make licensed premises safer for customers. It will see more professional people working as door staff and I suspect some people working in York now will find it difficult to get a licence. It is definitely a step in the right direction for the security industry."

Updated: 08:53 Thursday, April 03, 2003