Page 45 - Door Supervision Training Booklet

in sexual matters'. It is ultimately for the court to decide whether any particular act is indecent or not, although in most circumstances it will be obvious.
You may be approached at the door, for example, by a very distressed female who alleges that someone inside the premises has indecently assaulted her, by grabbing her breasts. Provided that she is happy for the police to become involved, and can point out the suspect to you, then you have the power to arrest him and hold onto him until the police arrive
Door supervisors should assist the police if they visit the venue or are called to deal with an incident inside. There are two offences relating specifically to police officers that door supervisors need to be aware of.
Section 51(1) Police Act 1964
It is an offence for a person to assault a constable in the execution of his duty, or anyone assisting the constable in the execution of those duties.
Section 51 (3) Police Act 1964
Any person who resists or wilfully obstructs a constable in the execution of his duty, or anyone assisting the constable in the execution of those duties, commits an offence.
Summary
As a door supervisor working at licensed premises, you will occasionally have to resort to the use of force when carrying out your lawful duties. There are times when the law allows you to use force, such as when ejecting unruly customers who refuse to leave when requested, or in self defence or in defence of another, or when effecting a lawful arrest or preventing a crime from taking place. In these circumstances you may use force, providing that such force is reasonable and necessary in those circumstances, and that you do not use more force than is required to affect your purpose.
If, having lawfully physically ejected a customer from the premises, you then continue to use force on him, either to "teach him a lesson" or to "stop him trying again", then you most certainly commit an assault and make yourself liable to arrest.
With regards to door supervisors carrying weapons, any such use of force with a weapon would certainly be an assault and is very likely to lead to arrest and prosecution. The courts would not look kindly on any member of a security team using a weapon to inflict injury on a member of the public.
Door supervisors also have specific powers of arrest to help them deal with assaults that occur on their premises, and should use them when the need arises.
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