I think doormen certainly have an image problem and I think this conference will go some way towards improving that

PC Andy Walker, Humberside Police

PC Andy Walker, from Humberside Police, worked on a home office research project into the industry.

His efforts helped formulate the new laws which have been approved by Parliament.

PC Walker said: "The idea was to organise a conference for security companies who supply doormen.

"We wanted to get as many people together as we could who will be affected by the new rules.

"When the new law comes in, every doorman will have to be vetted and there will be a national badge scheme.

"It will be illegal to operate as a doorman without a badge."

Delegates hear about new rules for doormen

Mr Walker said the government examined the industry after a series of incidents across the country where bouncers had been involved in drug dealing and other crimes.

He added: "I think doormen certainly have an image problem and I think this conference will go some way towards improving that."

Licences are expected to cost between �35 and �40 and applicants would be subject to a standard criminal record check that would look at both current and spent offences.

Would-be bouncers could face tougher checks covering minor offences and any police intelligence on them.

Anyone with a conviction for an offence of drugs or violence would be automatically excluded from working.

Drug dealing revealed

A new authority set up to regulate the industry may also have some discretion in deciding what offences could warrant a ban from working in the private security industry.

A home office report published two years ago found evidence of doormen dealing in drugs, turning a blind eye to drug-dealing, and receiving cash for letting dealing take place.

Research estimates there are 170,000 door supervisors in England and Wales.