MEN IN BLACK PASS 'BOUNCER' COURSE WITH FLYING COLOURS (From Warrington Guardian)

MEN IN BLACK PASS 'BOUNCER' COURSE WITH FLYING COLOURS

A TEAM of gentlemen from Northwich are celebrating being the area's first fully-qualified bouncers.

Dave Jones, Vance Garner and Tony Preston were among 30 people who took part in a special training course - and who are now registered door attendants.

During the course, which lasted for three evening sessions, the team learned about everything from fire safety to bomb scares, and about how to co-operate with local police.

Dave, from Barnton, said: "It was a really useful course.

"It gave us a lot of insight into the role of a doorman, making us more like door attendants than bouncers.

"It means you're someone who helps and protects the people who visit, rather than being looked at as the bouncer who's going to boot people out."

Another vital aspect of the course was training in drug-related issues. The team now know how to recognise the signs if someone is using drugs - even down to checking ashtrays for the giveaway clues that someone has used drugs on the premises. Now the team, which looks after events at Northwich Memorial Hall, Winnington Rec, the British Legions at Hartford and Barnton, and the Vics and Witton Social Clubs, say they've got a new outlook.

"It has taught us a lot about what to watch for, and how best to look after the people who've come along for a good time."

The course is run by Vale Royal Borough Council's Mike Ward.

He said: "They now have some official ID, issued by us, which certifies what they have done, and our word to the police that they are trustworthy, upstanding people."

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