Cardiff clubbers face fingerprinting

Clubs encouraged to introduce digital technology for customer entry

New nightspot Ladybird Lounge on Mill Lane had reported success with the system

Police are backing the use of digital technology for entry into the city’s clubs to help catch wrongdoers.

Customers hoping to gain entry to nightspots must agree to having their driving licence or passport scanned, or choose to have their fingerprint scanned to save producing ID in the future.

Licensees were given a demonstration on how the system worked last Wednesday, with another due to take place at the end of the month.

This means more clubs could join the likes of Ladybird Lounge in Mill Lane, who already adopt the system.

Chairman of Cardiff Licensees Forum, Nick Newman, maintains that the system is an entirely commercial decision.

“ID scanning is a bit of a grey area and clubs are not obliged to go along with it.”

The system explained

Nick Newman, who also manages Live Lounge, explains the system as twofold.

“Firstly, from a crime prevention point of view. Mobile phone and bag theft is a huge issue and if someone comes up to us and tells us exactly when it happened, we can look on CCTV and actually be able to identify who it is.

“The second way is in terms of marketing as it captures so much detail and can be passed through clubs. But this is voluntary like any other marketing tool, there’s always a choice to opt out.”

He also maintains the proposals are not a result of a rise in anti-social behaviour.

“Police are looking at issues that keep occurring. It has been very successful for dealing with things like ID fraud and underage drinking.”

When asked if his own club would implement the system, he said, “That’s a decision for the owner but it is being considered and may be appropriate for this club.”

Making Cardiff safer

South Wales Police licensing officer Sergeant Scott Lloyd says, “By scanning identification, such as driving licences and passports, these systems can contribute to reducing and detecting crime by, for example, changing the mindset of potential troublemakers entering a venue, preventing underage drinking, and identifying offenders.

“If appropriate, South Wales Police will consider requesting such systems are a condition for any new licence application or where a premises licence is up for review.”

Photo courtesy of Noel Byrne.

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