Commissioner renews funding for ID scanners to further improve safety in night-time economy

Twenty-five late-night venues across Northamptonshire will have ID scan technology for a further three years to help tackle crime and disorder in the night-time economy – thanks to funding from Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone.

Venues that stay open past 1am have been equipped with ID scan machines for the last two years following a major rollout of the technology in 2023, thought to be one of the biggest seen in the UK at the time.

The machines are used by door staff to check if someone’s ID is genuine and allow venue owners to join a virtual network that enables them to share pictures and information about those who cause disruption and have been banned, preventing them from entering other premises and creating further issues.

Danielle is now providing £63,000 in funding to allow premises across Northamptonshire to use the machines until at least 2028.

Danielle said: “The feedback we have had from bars and clubs is that they have been a really effective addition and are actively helping them to keep people safe in their establishments."

One of the venues using the ID scan technology is Bar Rumba, located on Abington Square in Northampton town centre.

Hamid Delbari, manager at Bar Rumba, said: "I think the ID scanners have been one of the best things to happen in Northampton. They are helping to reduce the number of troublemakers we have coming into our venue.

“No-one wants to come to a place that they feel might be dangerous, so these machines are making the environment much safer for the people who visit us, and the reaction from people has been positive once we’ve explained how the machines are helping to keep them safe.

“I’m really glad the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is renewing the funding for these ID scanning machines for the next three years, and it’s really good news for the safety of not just our customers, but our staff as well.”

Message Sent By

Helen Franks

(Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Senior Social Media Engagement Officer, Northamptonshire)