A NEW initiative has been launched in Hartlepool to show that pub and club door supervisors have been trained and are properly licensed.

Seventy "glow in the dark" armbands have been distributed to security staff across the town who will wear them with their Security Industry Authority (SIA) licences showing through a clear pocket.

The armbands are designed to help police, licensees and late-night revellers identify door supervisors and see that they are legally entitled to work.

The four main security organisations in the town - NES Security, Ellwood and Hoyle Security, Jackson's Security Services and Phoenix Security - are all backing the scheme which is operating under the banner of the Safer Hartlepool Partnership.

PC Terry Swales, Hartlepool Police Licensing Officer, said: "This is just another example of how we are making Hartlepool a safer place to socialise.

"The armbands help us and the public to identify door supervisors during busy periods in dark situations. Without the support of Hartlepool Licensees Association and various organisations in the town this scheme wouldn't be possible."

Richard Sewell, Chair of the licensees association, said: "We are committed to keeping a busy but safe night-time economy and we are pleased that the door supervisors have adopted these armbands."

Dave Garside of NES Security added: "We want people across the town to enjoy their nights out and we will get involved in any project that helps this to happen."

Photo caption (left-right): Richard Sewell from the licensees association, Dave Garside of NES Security, Kevin Jackson from Jackson's Security Services, Eddy Ellwood from Ellwood and Hoyle Security, PC Terry Swales and Steve Howe from Phoenix Security.