Bouncers given crime scene kits 'to do job of police'

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Bouncers have been issued with official police kits to gather evidence after alcohol-fuelled punch-ups.

But the controversial move to use civilians as scenes-of-crime investigators has prompted accusations that the police cannot cope with escalating violence linked to 24-hour drinking.

The door staff in 20 pubs and clubs in the notorious Guildhall Walk district of Portsmouth received just 90 minutes' training to use the kits, which contain latex gloves, evidence bags for seized drugs, tubes to store confiscated knives and blue-and-white police tape to cordon off crime scenes.

They are also being taught to spot symptoms of those whose drinks have been spiked with daterape drugs such as Rohypnol.

Violent crime in the area has risen by almost 50 per cent in the past three years.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: "This is a disturbing development. It is shocking that, under Labour, pub and club bouncers are having to be used to do the work of trained officers."

And a senior Police Federation figure said: "We want real coppers to do coppers' jobs. We can't have Uncle Tom Cobley and all carrying out the role of professional officers."

PC Jon Seal, 25, a former bouncer, is behind the scheme. He said: "Hopefully, it will mean we get the best evidence."