The night-time economy is crucial for the vibrancy and economic health of any urban centres, yet it frequently faces significant safety and security challenges. In today’s world, the private security industry offers a diverse array of services, evolving from its traditional roots into an important aspect of the policing family, especially within the night-time environment. Despite the growth of the private security industry, issues such as unprofessionalism and criminal transgressions affects the reputation and perception of staff within the industry. One major sector in the private security industry that has been affected by these issues is door supervision. Door supervisor maintains order, safety and security at venues such as bars, nightclubs, and other social events. A plethora of academic and non-academic literature has highlighted both the positive aspects and criticisms regarding unprofessionalism, and criminal behaviours of door supervisors in the night-time economy. The establishment of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) continues to play a crucial role in ameliorating the reputation and public perception of professionalism within the sector. Despite door supervisors being regulated for over 20 years, there is still a limited number of research studies specifically examining their perception within the night-time economy. This thesis investigates the public perception of door supervision in the night-time economy, focusing on the ascertaining the current reputation and professionalism of door supervisors. It aims to assess how the SIA licensing impact the safety and security of nightlife venues. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative surveys to gauge the perception of patrons and utilises qualitative interviews to explore the perception of door supervisors. The findings reveal a complex interplay between regulatory practices and public perceptions, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement in the current licensing system. For example, factors such as past experiences, media portrayals, and a lack of understanding of regulatory changes continue to influence public perceptions. The study also identifies significant benefits of SIA regulation, including enhanced professionalism and safety standards, but also points out challenges such as compliance costs. The study suggests that further developments in training programs, public awareness campaigns, and increased collaboration between stakeholders can further improve the professionalism and reputation of door supervisors. For future research, it recommends exploring the long-term impacts of regulatory changes and investigating the specific effects of media portrayals and public campaigns on public perceptions.
Date of Award | 21 Aug 2024 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | |
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Supervisor | Mark Button (Supervisor) & Dean Robert Blackbourn (Supervisor) |
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The Current Perception of Door Supervision in the Night-time Economy: A Focus on Reputation and Professionalism
Akerele, J. (Author). 21 Aug 2024
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis