Four hundred working bouncers have been prosecuted for failing to obtain a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.

It has been illegal for door staff in England and Wales to work without the certification since 11 April.

Under the new regulations bouncers must undergo a criminal record check and complete a four-day training programme before being allowed to work on the door. 

The SIA estimates that 81% of the 46,000 doormen in England and Wales have applied for the three-year £450 licence.

Annemarie Chebib, operations director of door supervision company Select Security, believes premises will be forced to use licensed doorstaff when the licensing act comes into force in November or lose their licence. 

If found guilty, the bouncers face a maximum £5,000 fine or six months in prison.

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