Nightclub and bar goers will be able to feel safer thanks to a newly-launched group of specially trained doormen.

DPA Security, which stands for 'Develop your skills, protect yourself and your patrons and assist wherever necessary' and is owned by Devrae Noel-Simmons and his wife Susie, has enrolled its 17-strong team in an intensive 32-hour training programme run over four days this month by consultant trainer Angus Darroch-Warren of Linx International Ltd.

The security personnel will be trained and certified in all aspects of door supervision, which will equip them with the knowledge, skills and techniques to manage security situations in line with the security licensing requirements of the regulator the UK Security Industry Authority.

The course comprises the UK National Occupational Standards for the security industry and is in accordance with the British Standard 7960 for Door Supervision, containing material accredited with UK awarding bodies.

Mr. Noel-Simmons, who has been in the security business for more than 17 years, having started off on his own and managed the safety and security of licensed premises, major entertainment events and the personal security of celebrities and high net-worth individuals, said he was putting together a certified professional security team to protect the bars and nightclubs across the Island and their patrons.

Along with his wife Susie, who handles the financial, accounting, administrative and maintenance operations, Mr. Noel-Simmons and his firm have done the security for Rumbar, Gombeys, Greg's Steakhouse and a number of high school proms, as well as standing in for the Pickled Onion and the Hog Penny.

He said a recent increase in violence has driven the need to set a new standard of professionalism throughout the security industry, in addition to supporting one of Bermuda's biggest assets - the tourism sector - through providing a safe environment for tourists and residents alike taking part in social and entertainment events.

"Our mission is to provide a safe, secure and controlled environment, allowing our clients and their patrons to conduct their business freely and with peace of mind," he said.

"There has been an increase in violence outside of nightclubs, bars and restaurants and I think the whole point is that people just want to feel safe again and to know that the guys running the security know how to do their job properly - they know how to meet and greet you and if there is an incident on the premises they can deal with it."

Deciding to establish one common standard in his line of work, Mr. Noel-Simmons found the training programme was a perfect fit with Government's regulation of the private security industry in accordance with the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act 1974, with checks on an individual's identity, probity and competence assisting the Police and regulatory authorities in meeting their objectives for crime prevention and reduction, particularly in regard to licensed premises.

Under the training, DPA Security staff will learn the rules and regulation of door supervision, including health and safety, first aid training, and personal skills; conflict management, comprising a physical intervention module and diffusion of a situation; and dealing with an incident and removing person(s) from the scene. They will also be taught about the law, powers of arrest.

"The whole process is to make the guys aware that there are better ways of managing incidents rather than restraining and all that kind of stuff," said Mr. Darroch-Warren.

Mr. Darroch-Warren, who has run training programmes in a number of places including Nigeria and Egypt, said that having qualified staff would also add value to the very businesses they were protecting through effective management procedures.

Mr. Noel-Simmons, who is also an International Fitness Pros trainer, said he would be working closely with the Police and the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the future, as well as the other members of the security industry, to raise the bar for the sector.