Physical Intervention Skills

What is 'reasonable force' in the context of door supervision?

• AForce is never allowed in any circumstances at licensed premises in the UK
• BWhatever level of force the door supervisor personally believes is necessary
• CForce that is proportionate to the threat and necessary to prevent harm✓
• DThe maximum permitted by the venue's own policy

Answer: Reasonable force is proportionate to the threat and is the minimum necessary to prevent harm or protect persons or property. It must be justified and defensible in law.

What is the legal test for using physical force in the UK?

• APolice approval must be obtained before any force is used
• BForce must be necessary, proportionate, and lawful✓
• COnly SIA-approved security companies are permitted to use force
• DForce must be pre-authorised by the venue, logged in advance and witnessed by a colleague

Answer: Under common law and the Criminal Law Act 1967, force must be necessary to prevent crime or protect persons/property, and must be proportionate to the threat. Excessive force is unlawful.

Can a door supervisor legally use physical force to remove someone from a venue?

• AYes, but a police officer has to be present during the removal
• BYes, using whatever force the venue manager authorises
• CYes, if force is reasonable and the person is trespassing or breaching venue rules✓
• DUnder no circumstances, since touching a customer is assault

Answer: Door supervisors can use reasonable force to remove trespassers or persons in breach of terms, provided the force is proportionate and no more than necessary. Excessive force remains unlawful.

What is 'self-defence' under UK law?

• AA defence that covers protecting yourself but not protecting other people nearby
• BThe right to defend yourself is lost once you work in a door supervision role
• CA lawful right to use force to protect yourself or others from unlawful attack✓
• DA defence that requires you to have been struck first

Answer: Under common law and the Criminal Law Act 1967, you have a right to use reasonable force in self-defence or to protect others from unlawful attack. The force must be proportionate.

What is 'duty of care' in the context of physical intervention?

• AA duty owed by qualified medical staff, but not by door supervisors, at the premises
• BA duty owed to the employer to protect the venue's property and its reputation
• CYour legal obligation to ensure reasonable safety and not cause unnecessary harm✓
• DAn obligation that ends as soon as the person has been removed from the licensed premises

Answer: Duty of care is your legal obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of those around you and not cause them unnecessary harm. This continues during and after physical intervention.

If a door supervisor uses excessive force during a removal, what could be the consequences?

• AOnly a company warning
• BCriminal charges (assault/GBH) and civil liability✓
• CThey were doing their job, so there are no consequences
• DLicence loss is not possible

Answer: Excessive force beyond what is reasonable can result in criminal assault or GBH charges, civil liability, licence revocation, and dismissal. The force must always be proportionate.

What should be the priority order when managing a violent person?

• ADe-escalation first, then physical intervention only if necessary✓
• BUse physical force immediately, before attempting to speak to the person
• CAlways fight back
• DIgnore them

Answer: De-escalation through calm communication is always the first approach. Physical intervention should only be considered as a last resort when de-escalation fails and there is genuine danger.

What does 'restraint' mean in physical intervention?

• APushing or shoving a person out through the front door of the venue
• BStriking a person hard enough to force them to do as they are told
• CUsing control techniques to prevent someone from causing harm✓
• DAny physical contact whatsoever between a supervisor and a customer

Answer: Restraint refers to using control techniques to safely immobilise or manage a person's movements to prevent harm. This requires proper training and must be proportionate.

What is a potential risk of physical restraint?

• AReduced risk of injury, as the person is kept still on the floor
• BIt is safe once the person stops struggling
• CRisk of injury, panic, or positional asphyxia if not properly trained✓
• DOnly emotional harm

Answer: Improper restraint can cause serious injury or death, particularly positional asphyxia (restricting breathing). This is why proper training and proportionate use are critical.

When is physical intervention considered lawful?

• AWhenever the door supervisor personally feels that it is called for at the time of the incident
• BUnlawful in every circumstance without exception
• CWhenever the venue's own policy permits it, whatever the circumstances on the night
• DOnly when necessary, proportionate, and to prevent harm or protect persons/property✓

Answer: Physical intervention is lawful only when it is necessary to prevent harm, protect persons or property, and the force used is proportionate to the threat. Any other use is assault.

What should a door supervisor do after using physical force against someone?

• AWait to see whether a complaint is made, then write the incident up if one is
• BDocument the incident, ensure the person's safety, offer assistance, and report to police if needed✓
• CApologise to the person for what happened and then allow them straight back into the venue
• DKeep what happened between the staff who were involved and make no written record of it anywhere

Answer: After physical intervention, ensure the person's wellbeing, document what happened, report to management and police if appropriate, and provide first aid if needed. This protects everyone.

What is 'reasonable' force dependent on?

• AThe venue's insurance cover, the time of night and how busy the door is
• BThe time of night
• CThe threat level, the person's behaviour, and available alternatives✓
• DYour experience level

Answer: Reasonableness depends on the actual threat (weapons, multiple attackers), the person's behaviour, your ability to de-escalate, and available alternatives. A proportionate response is tailored to the situation.

Can a door supervisor physically remove someone who refuses to leave voluntarily?

• AYes, once a police officer has given permission for the removal to take place
• BYes, if removal is lawful and force used is reasonable and proportionate✓
• CRemoval by force is unlawful and amounts to assault
• DYes, using whatever force the manager directs

Answer: If someone is trespassing or in breach and refuses to leave, reasonable physical removal is lawful. The force must be no more than necessary to achieve removal.

What is the relationship between training and using physical intervention?

• ATraining is not necessary beforehand
• BProper training is essential before using any physical techniques✓
• CPhysical intervention training is only needed by serving police officers
• DAnyone working on a door may use physical techniques with no training at all

Answer: Proper training is essential. Using untrained physical techniques can cause serious injury and legal liability. Door supervisors should receive and maintain appropriate physical intervention training.

What should a door supervisor assess before using physical force?

• AThe person's size, how many colleagues are nearby and whether CCTV is recording
• BJust the age of the person who has become involved in the incident at the door
• CInstinct alone; the supervisor should act straight away without assessing anything
• DThe threat level, available alternatives, risks, and proportionality✓

Answer: Before physical intervention, assess: Is the threat real? Are there alternatives (de-escalation, retreat, backup)? What injuries could result? Is the force proportionate? This assessment protects everyone.

What does 'risk assessment for physical intervention' mean?

• AAssuming that every person being dealt with has some underlying health condition of their own
• BChecking the person's ID, their age and whether they have been refused before
• CJudging by appearance how risky the customer looks
• DEvaluating whether physical intervention is safe given weapons, health issues, or environment✓

Answer: Risk assessment involves considering hidden weapons, medical conditions (pregnancy, heart disease), environmental hazards, and numbers. Some situations make physical intervention too risky.

What precaution should be taken if someone claims to have a weapon?

• ATreat it as a genuine threat, retreat, call police, and inform others✓
• BKeep talking, stay close so they cannot draw it and signal a colleague discreetly
• CCarry on dealing with the situation in exactly the same way as before the claim
• DAssume that the person is bluffing and take no further action of any kind

Answer: Any claim of a weapon should be taken seriously. Retreat to a safe distance, call police immediately, keep others away, and wait for police response. Never attempt disarming.

Can a door supervisor legally prevent someone from leaving the venue against their will?

• AIt depends on how old the person concerned happens to be at the time
• BYes, if bar staff have refused to serve them for being too drunk
• CNo, unless they are being detained lawfully (e.g., by police)✓
• DYes, if they have caused a nuisance earlier in the evening

Answer: Unlawfully detaining someone is false imprisonment, which is a crime. You cannot stop someone leaving without lawful authority, such as police detention or a valid citizen's arrest under section 24A of PACE for an indictable offence. Being drunk, being refused service or causing a nuisance gives no power to detain.

What is 'post-incident procedure' after physical intervention?

• AA stage that can be skipped entirely once the incident is over
• BIgnore what happened once the shift ends
• CReviewing the CCTV, agreeing a shared account with colleagues and then writing it up
• DDocumenting, reporting, ensuring safety, and recording details for evidence✓

Answer: Post-incident procedure includes documenting what happened, reporting to management and police, ensuring medical care, recording witness details, and preserving evidence. This protects everyone.

What information should be recorded after using physical force?

• AThe names of staff on duty, the takings for the night and the shift rota
• BWhat led to it, who was involved, what happened, injuries, witnesses, police notification✓
• CRecording is required only if the police later ask for a written statement
• DJust your own name and the time at which your shift came to an end that night

Answer: Record: date, time, people involved, who initiated the conflict, sequence of events, what force was used, injuries sustained, witnesses, police involvement, and actions taken.

What is the difference between 'force' and 'assault'?

• ALawful force is different from unlawful assault✓
• BThe two terms mean the same thing in criminal law
• CForce is lawful, provided the other person struck first
• DBoth are criminal offences under licensing law in the UK

Answer: Lawful force (reasonable, proportionate, necessary) is different from assault (unlawful force causing harm or threatening it). The same action can be lawful force or unlawful assault depending on circumstances.

What is 'GBH' (Grievous Bodily Harm)?

• AA minor injury such as a graze
• BA threat to cause injury
• CAn injury needing first aid, such as bruises or grazes, with no lasting harm
• DReally serious harm, such as broken bones or serious wounds✓

Answer: GBH means really serious bodily harm, such as broken bones or serious wounds; the harm does not have to be permanent. It is an offence under sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Door supervisors must avoid force likely to cause it.

What is 'common assault'?

• AOnly pushing someone
• BReasonable force that is used to prevent a crime from being committed at the venue
• CIntentional application of unlawful force or threat of unlawful force✓
• DLawful use of force

Answer: Common assault is any intentional application of unlawful force or a threat of unlawful force. It can include pushing, hitting, or even threatening to hit someone.

Can a door supervisor use physical force against someone who is not being violent?

• AUnder no circumstances at all, since any contact with a non-violent person is an assault
• BYes, if the customer is rude or argumentative towards staff, force may be used to move them on
• CYes, at any time, because door supervisors hold the same powers as a constable on licensed premises
• DOnly if necessary to prevent harm or enforce legal removal; force must be proportionate✓

Answer: Physical force can only be used if it is necessary (de-escalation failed), lawful (removing a trespasser), and proportionate (no more force than needed). Rudeness alone does not justify force.

What should a door supervisor do if they feel a situation is becoming too dangerous for physical intervention?

• ACall for backup, retreat to safety, let police handle it✓
• BStay in place, keep talking and avoid calling anyone so the situation is not inflamed
• CLeave without helping
• DContinue anyway

Answer: If a situation is too dangerous (multiple attackers, weapons, medical issues), retreat to a safe distance, call for backup and police, and do not attempt physical intervention.

What is 'positional asphyxia'?

• AA type of breathing exercise
• BDeath or serious injury from restricting someone's breathing during restraint✓
• CA condition that only ever affects athletes during periods of heavy physical exercise
• DA breathing technique

Answer: Positional asphyxia is when someone cannot breathe properly due to their body position during restraint, particularly face-down pressure on the chest. It can be fatal within minutes.

How can positional asphyxia be prevented during physical restraint?

• AApply the restraint more firmly and hold the position for longer until the person stops struggling
• BKeep restraint brief, avoid face-down positions, call ambulance if unresponsive, use trained personnel✓
• CPlace the person face down, which keeps the airway clear
• DPositional asphyxia affects people who are already unwell, so healthy adults need no special precautions

Answer: Prevention includes keeping restraint brief and only when necessary, avoiding prolonged face-down positions, monitoring breathing, calling emergency services if any distress, and using trained staff only.

In the legal tests for using force, what does 'necessity' mean?

• AA rule that force can be used to recover unpaid debts
• BForce is used only when no other option would prevent harm or crime✓
• CForce is justified once a customer is verbally abusive
• DA duty to use force before calling the police

Answer: Necessity means force is used only when there is no other reasonable way to prevent harm or crime, such as withdrawing or calming the person down. The force must then be reasonable and proportionate, under the common law of self-defence and section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967.

What is a 'proportionate response' in physical intervention?

• AAlways use maximum force
• BAvoiding force altogether, whatever the circumstances may be
• CUse only the force necessary to achieve the lawful aim✓
• DForce proportional to your anger

Answer: Proportionality means using only the minimum force necessary to achieve the lawful objective (removal, restraint, self-defence). Excessive force is unlawful even if the aim is lawful.

What should happen if someone is injured during physical intervention by a door supervisor?

• AConceal the injury and make no mention of it in the venue's incident log
• BOffer them a drink, apologise on behalf of the venue and let them return inside
• CSend the injured person an invoice for any damage that was caused to the venue
• DProvide first aid, call ambulance if needed, report to police and management✓

Answer: Immediately provide first aid, call emergency services for serious injuries, document the incident, notify police and management, and cooperate with investigations. Never hide or minimise injuries.

Can someone be charged criminally AND face civil liability for the same use of force?

• ACivil proceedings replace criminal charges where force was used at work
• BYes, criminal and civil actions can be pursued separately✓
• CNo, a civil claim has to wait until the criminal case is dropped
• DCriminal charges rule out a later civil claim for the same incident

Answer: A door supervisor can face criminal charges (assault/GBH) and separate civil claims (damages) for the same incident. These are independent legal processes.

What is the Criminal Law Act 1967 Section 3?

• AIt sets out the grounds for a citizen's arrest
• BIt allows reasonable force to prevent crime or make a lawful arrest✓
• CIt creates the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm
• DIt gives police the power to close premises

Answer: Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967 lets any person use force that is reasonable in the circumstances to prevent crime or to make or assist a lawful arrest. Protecting yourself or others also relies on the common law of self-defence. The force must be necessary and proportionate.

What is 'duty of care' in first aid after physical intervention?

• AA door supervisor has no duty of care at all once the incident has ended
• BYou must provide reasonable care and call ambulance for serious injuries✓
• CProviding any care is entirely optional
• DOnly trained paramedics have any duty to help a person who has been injured

Answer: After physical intervention, you have a duty of care to ensure an injured person receives help. Failing to do so could constitute a criminal or civil offence.

Should a door supervisor restrain someone who is having a medical episode?

• AYes, hold them down firmly on the floor until they become calm again and stop moving
• BWhen the person refuses to leave the premises after being asked to go by staff
• CWhen the person's friends ask for them to be held while they recover
• DNo, call ambulance and avoid physical contact unless absolutely necessary✓

Answer: Medical episodes require emergency services, not restraint. Restraining someone having a seizure, heart attack, or psychiatric crisis can cause serious harm. Call 999 and monitor breathing.

What is the 'minimum force principle'?

• AForce is never necessary in any case
• BUse only the minimum force necessary to achieve a lawful aim✓
• CEveryone gets the same force
• DUse as much force as possible

Answer: The minimum force principle means using the least amount of force needed. A warning, then refusal of entry, then gentle removal is preferred to aggressive physical intervention.

Can door supervisors refuse to use physical force even if asked to do so by management?

• ANo, the decision on force rests with the premises licence holder
• BYes, if force would be unlawful or disproportionate✓
• CManagement carries the legal liability for force it has ordered
• DYes, once they have cleared the refusal with the SIA by phone

Answer: Door supervisors remain personally responsible for their actions. They can and should refuse unlawful instructions, including using excessive force. Lawfulness trumps management orders.