Bouncers must now pass two exams to get their licences

Under new rules all doormen and women have to pass two exams and submit three forms of ID to get their licence.

Security firms in Canterbury said the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is too slow sending out the ID cards.

The SIA said it had warned clubs the application process was lengthy but many doormen had ignored the advice.

We're waiting and waiting... some are taking up to six months and it's just not on Tony Smith, security firm owner

From 28 February it became law for all bouncers to wear the picture ID badges they receive when they get their licence.

Tony Smith whose company provides security staff and training, said: "We are short of staff at the moment and it is a nightmare."

"Licensees are panicking, employers are panicking and as for door supervisors it's their livelihoods.

"This weekend is looking debatable because only a handful have their badges.

"We're waiting and waiting... some are taking up to six months and it's just not on," he said.

'Late surge'

The SIA has issued temporary letters to allow doormen to work while they wait for their badges to be processed.

Mary Hennessy, spokeswoman from the SIA, said the new laws had been widely known for the past two years.

"We have targeted pubs and clubs to make sure they were aware of when it needed to be done by," she said.

She added that there were no hold-up processing the cards, simply that there had been a "late surge" in applications, many of which had to be returned because mistakes had been made.

Under the stringent new regulations, bouncers have to prove they have had no involvement in crime for up to five years.