Stephen Berrisford, a resident of Weston-super-Mare, has admitted to providing unlicensed security at last year's Oktoberfest in the town, following a hearing at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court. Berrisford, operating as a sole trader under the name Steve Security & Supply, was fined £133, with additional court costs amounting to £500, alongside a £34 victim surcharge, which must be paid by 31 August 2022.
Previous Case of Illegal Security Provision
This sentencing is subsequent to the conviction of another local, Chadd Heath, who confessed to serving as unlicensed security at the same festival. His plea was entered on 6 May, during proceedings initiated by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
SIA Inspection at Oktoberfest
On 1 October 2021, SIA investigators, in collaboration with Devon and Cornwall Police licensing officers, conducted a regular licence inspection at Oktoberfest. Upon encountering three individuals at the entrance wearing security jackets, the investigators requested to see their security credentials. Two individuals presented valid licences, while Chadd Heath, the third person, failed to provide one and was subsequently interrogated by the SIA team.
Role of Steve Security & Supply
It was discovered by the SIA that Steve Security & Supply was responsible for deploying the security personnel, with Heath admitting to wearing a 'Security' jacket for warmth despite lacking a proper licence. Berrisford claimed Heath was operating as a steward, which would not require a licence. However, the organisers of Oktoberfest had only enlisted the services of licensed door supervisors, with no stewards engaged for the event.
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Stephen Berrisford pleaded guilty at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court to supplying unlicenced security to the town’s Oktoberfest last year.
Weston-super-Mare man, Stephen Berrisford pleaded guilty at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court to supplying unlicenced security to the town’s Oktoberfest last year.
Mr Berrisford was fined £133 and is required to pay court costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £34 by 31 August 2022.
He is a sole-trader trading as Steve Security & Supply and is in possession of an SIA licence.
Another Weston-super-Mare man
Friday’s sentencing follows the prosecution of another Weston-super-Mare man, Chadd Heath on 6 May, where Heath pleaded guilty to working as unlicenced security at Oktoberfest.
SIA investigators visited the Oktoberfest as part of routine licence inspection in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police licensing officers on 1 October 2021. They saw three people wearing security jackets at the entrance gate and asked to see their security licences.
Two people correctly displayed their licences, which were verified by the investigators. The third person, Chadd Heath, did not display a licence and the SIA investigators challenged him.
The incidence
The SIA investigators found that the security was deployed by Steve Security & Supply
That night, Heath wore a jacket marked with the word ‘Security’ which he said he was wearing to keep himself warm. Heath revealed that he did not have a licence and was therefore working illegally.
The SIA investigators found that the security was deployed by Steve Security & Supply and on the same night contacted Mr Berrisford, the sole trader of the enterprise to check Mr Heath’s status. Mr Berrisford said that Heath was working as a steward and therefore did not need to be licenced.
The SIA investigation officer found out from the Oktoberfest organisers that they had procured seven door supervisors and no stewards to protect the event.
