The Police Commissioner yesterday denied that there was a big backlog in unprocessed licence applications for security guards.

In a statement, Commissioner John Rizzo said only licence applications received in December and this month were still being processed.

All applications received prior to December have already been approved by the Office of Police Licences, he said.

The office is in the process of sending notifications to these applicants so that their licences are renewed.

Commissioner Rizzo was reacting to claims made by the General Workers Union that some security guards had been dismissed from their jobs because they did not possess a valid licence.

The GWU claimed on Tuesday that some applicants had been waiting more than three months for their licences to be issued.

Since June 30, 2012, all security personnel working in bars and nightclubs have been required to possess a new Private Guard at a Place of Entertainment Licence, issued by the Police Commissioner.

The requirement formed part of legislation enacted in 2010 to better regulate the industry following several media reports of violence involving ‘bouncers’.

Despite initial fanfare, the legislation was watered down and delayed before finally entering into full force last summer.

The Sunday Times last week reported that just 37 security guards had been issued with the new licence to work in bars and nightclubs between last June and December.