POLICE in Yeovil were disappointed on Friday night when they discovered that pubs and clubs were still not complying with new rules for door staff.

The town centre team carried out a joint agency operation with South Somerset District Council's licensing department to check door staff had complied with current regulations under the Security Industry Act.

The Security Industry Act now covers door staff on licensed premises and sets down standards they must meet.

Officers visited a number of licensed premises in the town centre and checked that doorstaff had the required documentation confirming that they had either applied for a license or were in receipt of a current SIA badge.

Three premises were advised that there were discrepancies with their door supervisors and advised to close to prevent a breach of their public entertainment licences.

Sergeant Jackie Gold said: "This is our second operation of this kind and will not be the last.

"It was disappointing to see that some door staff are either ignoring the new rules or simply do not understand what is required.

"We appreciate there are some delays with the process of applications for the SIA however, licensee's and door supervisors have been given plenty of notice of the changes.

"As it stands door supervisors and licensees must ensure they understand the requirements, particularly in view of the impending deadline of November 23.

"On this date door supervisors will be required to have full SIA licenses. Between now and then I will be in contact with the SIA and will do everything possible to ensure licenses are issued as quickly as possible."

But it is understood that some doorstaff were unhappy and a doorman, who did not want to be named, claimed to the Express that the police and licensing team had got their facts wrong and that one premises which had been advised to close reopened once the matter had been resolved later that same night.

The council's licensing panel, which is playing a major part in the crackdown on late-night violence in Yeovil, will soon be circulating a guide to landlords giving advice on how to manage and deter crime and disorder in licensed premises.

The guide said: "The good management of licensed premises is paramount and goes a long way towards reducing incidents of crime and disorder and builds up a positive reputation among customers."

The guide also encourages landlords to provide enough seating areas to try and prevent too many people from standing while drinking.