News
Phoenix Security supplies security to the BALTIC for the high profile prestigious Turner Prize 2011
21/10/2011
Phoenix Security are supplying security for the BALTIC
Phoenix Security are supplying security for the BALTIC a major international centre for contemporary art for the Turner Prize 2011 from 21 October 2011 - 8 January 2012 showing collections from Karla Black / Martin Boyce / Hilary Lloyd / George Shaw
Arguably the world's most recognised and prestigious award for contemporary art, the Turner Prize presents the very best of current British art.
It is only the second time in its 27-year history that the Turner Prize has been held outside London, and the first time at a gallery not belonging to the Tate stable.
New laws to protect door supervisors & revellers
02/06/2011
New laws mean door supervisors will now have to be trained on how to restrain and eject revellers from pubs and clubs.
Having to deal with revellers who have had one too many is nothing new for door staff up and down the country.
But a series of high profile deaths and injuries to people being kicked out of pubs and clubs has led to new rules being introduced to protect everyone involved.
Door supervisors already have to be registered with the Security Industry Authority (SIA), in a bid to regulate those who supervise doors.
Now, anyone wanting to enter the trade for the first time will have to take part in mandatory training on physical intervention techniques like safe restraint and ejection.
Steve Howe is director of Phoenix Security, the region's largest and longest established door supervision organisation.
It provides staff to nearly 80 bars, pubs, clubs and hotels in Newcastle and North Tyneside and just last week became the first to issue its door supervisors with headcams.
A poll of door supervisors by the SIA found 54% had been attacked at some point in their career rising to 94% in individuals with five years' service or more.
The organisation is aware of at least 10 people who have died after being ejected from venues since 2003 although it accepts there is anecdotal evidence the real number "could be higher".
The Home Office is now consulting on measures to extend the new training to all existing door supervisors with compulsory top-up training every two years. A decision is expected over the summer.
Newcastle nightclub Door Supervisor's to wear headcams
16/05/2011
Door Supervisor's at Bambu nightclub, in Newcastle's Bigg Market, will start wearing the devices to capture images of any problems caused by revellers.
It is hoped the cameras will also help prevent flashpoints occurring by acting as a deterrent against potential troublemakers. Phoenix Security is introducing the hi-tech measure, which it hopes to roll-out across the city in future months.
And police have also given their backing to the scheme, having already seen the benefits of installing cameras in officers' helmets to help bring offenders to justice. Chief Insp Geoff Logan said: "The headcams are something the police have started to use in a number of situations to great effect, so we are very interested to see these developments with door staff in the centre of Newcastle."
Bambu, formerly Blu Bambu, has had a major facelift and teamed up with Phoenix, who provide all doorstaff for the venue. Door Supervisor's will also use the headcams to capture images of any fake ID cards presented by punters. All footage is simultaneously routed and stored back at Phoenix Security's Killingworth headquarters.
Steve Howe, director of Phoenix Security, said: "We are delighted to be bringing this type of technology into the heart of Newcastle. It has been a system we have used successfully in other parts of the country and we know it will prove a huge success for Bambu and, we hope, for the rest of Newcastle soon."
"Our door operators have reported back on how the headcams, as well as recording any flashpoints, have acted as a huge visual deterrent against those who fear their actions will permanently be recorded."
The headcams are worn so a small but very visible device sits on the temple of the member of doorstaff. The individual can control the camera at the touch of a handheld button.
Steve added: "If the introduction of the headcams for our staff at Bambu proves the success we predict, then there is no reason why we cannot start to roll this out across all our entertainment and leisure partners in the city."
Bob Dawson, head of operations for Ultimate Leisure, which operates Bambu on behalf of parent company Orchid Group, said: "The safety of our patrons is our number one priority, so we are thrilled to be working with Phoenix Security on the exciting re-opening of Bambu."