BORDESLEY, BIRMINGHAM:

Edwards at work

Kitchen club bouncer Matt Edwards defended the handling of security at Kitchen in a recent Bouncer magazine interview.

Edwards, who has worked as a professional doorman for over 5 years since his prison release, considers his role as Deputy Chief Head of Security at the club as pivotal to the long-term success of the club.

"As a representative of the Lion Security Firm, I have to operate a zero-tolerance approach to drugs at our club," he said. "I know the core of any dance club's business is people quietly and secretly taking drugs and dancing to music all night, but I don't think that's the point really."

Edward's over zealous approach and harsh handling of the customers has been one of the main causes of complaint, according to cloakroom attendant Michael Keith.

"Every customer that walks through the door gets the speech," Keith said. "Zero tolerance…you have been warned…remove those items of clothing…what's in your underpants then?"

Strict controls and thorough physical searching upon entry to a club is the cornerstone of any effective security process. An exhaustive physical pat down, followed by complete removal of shoes and socks, followed by strict and thorough examination of wallets bags and all personal effects, followed by a quick running of his hands across the paying customers genitals prior to entry were all perfectly justified according to Edwards.

"What a lot of these people don't realise is that there's a lot of people out there that will go to extraordinary lengths to get a few bits past us," he said. "Can you imagine what would happen if we let them?"

Edwards went on to list his own comprehensive security procedures in place throughout the venue. Aside from regular communication via earpiece with the team members manning all 47 secret CCTV pinhole cameras located strategically throughout the venue, he also kept a close personal eye on proceedings down on the dance floor.

"I like to make my presence felt, just to let them know you're there," he said. "Normally it's just discreet stuff, like standing in the middle of the dance floor looking about for 6 hours, or just patrolling around the edges."

Club owner Matt Brown claimed that despite falling numbers due to external factors, Edwards had been a blessing for his night.

A trouble free chill out bar. All the result of Edwards hard work

"He's almost single-handedly cleaned up our night," said Brown. "It used to be a big problem before, but to be honest we don't have any issues whatsoever with any of the remaining customers we have now. I think the fact that clubs are feeling the pinch currently does have to factor into the equation. In fairness we don't have anywhere near the same numbers through the door on any given night now, so it does make their job easier for the moment."

In addition to aggressively circling the dance floor constantly throughout the evening, Edwards also employs 16 deputy "plain clothes" spotters masquerading as regular clubbers to watch for any suspicious behaviour.

Despite various complaints from some of the club's clientele, Edwards maintained his random toilet cubicle stop and searches were all "part of the job."

"Last week I had to kick down a toilet after I had a peek in the gap under the door with the torch," he said. "These girls have to learn if you're going to have a cold and sniff, don't do it somewhere so suspicious. They're asking for trouble blowing their nose in a toilet in a licensed venue for god's sake."

Continued Edwards: "I feel I have an obligation to everyone out there to provide a safe, and most importantly comfortable environment for them to club in."