20th September 2007 Report courtesy of www.getreading.co.uk

Stuart McNaught, general manager of the Purple Turtle

ID scanning technology has almost totally eliminated mobile phone and handbag thefts in bars, the Evening Post can reveal.

All four venues in Reading that electronically scan their customers’ ID cards have reported a drop in the numbers of thefts from their premises. The Purple Turtle and Fez Club, both in Gun Street, Q-Bar in Friar Street, and Bar Mango in Hosier Street, installed the technology last year.

And bosses at the venues said they were delighted that criminals had ceased to operate in their bars.

General manager of the Purple Turtle Stuart McNaught told the Evening Post:

“We had quite a serious issue with thefts of mobile phones and handbags about a year ago.

“We could have more than two or three incidents on a busy night – it was quite a regular problem.

“But since introducing the ID scan thefts have almost completely disappeared."

"It is definitely thanks to the technology – the machine broke for one night last Saturday and we had three thefts.”

Mr McNaught believes the technology has deterred organised teams of thieves because everyone who enters establishments with ID scan technology must allow door staff to scan a form of their identification which stores personal information such as names, addresses and photographs.

Mr McNaught added:

“Most of the organised groups are known criminals, so if there was a theft we could bring up a list of everyone who was in the club that night and they would be caught.

“It works hand in hand with the CCTV – we have 28 cameras on full coverage – so we can very quickly get information to the police.”

Lee Mitchell, assistant manager of Fez Club, agreed the technology had made the venue safer.

He said: “Although we never had a massive problem with theft, it helps having the technology.

"It works as a brilliant deterrent against people who are up to no good.”

The ID scanning machines – made by security firm Clubscan – were introduced in December with the support of PubWatch and the police.

PubWatch secretary Bill Donne said:

“It has been a successful scheme for those who have used it, and a number of companies have looked at it as a way of helping to prevent crime and disorder.”

Police spokesman Adam Fisher said:

“Any scan that robustly checks people entering a bar must be a positive thing and we welcome any technological developments that help to make Reading town centre an even safer place to enjoy nights out.”

First printed in: Reading Evening Post

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