TOUGH regulations to control club and pub bouncers come into effect across Britain from Monday, but will not be introduced on Teesside because of delays.

Cleveland Police is allowing door staff to continue working over Christmas and the New Year even if they do not have a licence from the new Security Industry Authority (SIA).

The SIA regulations mean door staff who do not have a licence could be committing a criminal offence, and premises using unlicensed staff could face closure.

But Cleveland Police said the delay will allow bouncers who are properly trained and trying to obtain licences to continue working.

Inspector Graham Strange said that because of delays in the application process, it was likely that a significant number of door staff trained to SIA standards who had tried to obtain a licence would not receive it in time.

He said: "There are various reasons for the delays. We recognise the good work that is carried out on a daily basis by door supervisors who help make our town centres safer.

"For this reason, we do not want to alienate anybody.

"We want to make sure they have time to get their licence, because if someone is convicted under the Private Security Industry Act, they will not be allowed to work as a door supervisor for five years."

The force is sending letters to licensees, door staff and their supervisors, outlining the situation. It is envisaged the rules would come into effect in February. To avoid prosecution between Monday and February 7, bouncers and supervisors without an appropriate SIA licence will have to have been trained and registered under the Cleveland Door Supervisor Registration Scheme.

They will also have to display a badge issued under that scheme, prove they have been trained to SIA standards and have taken positive action to become licensed. Anyone not meeting these criteria while working without a licence will be reported for summons.

Insp Strange said: "Our policy will give door staff time to get their SIA licence and clarifies the situation in detail for licensees who need to employ door staff during the changeover period.