CLUBS in Town are not accepting ID cards produced by Crimestoppers. Becci Keeling, 27, said that she and her friends had been turned away on numerous occasions by door staff.

She said that paying to get the card, which has her photograph on it, had been a waste of time

‘I lost my passport so I decided to get one,’ said the St Peter Port resident.

‘But this card, that we were advised to get, has been refused by the bouncer on the door of every nightclub in Guernsey.’

She said that to get the card had taken time and although it cost her only £5, she also had to present her birth certificate.

‘It’s not as if just anybody can get their hands on one. It’s a bit frustrating. One of my friends doesn’t drive, so she thought getting a card would save on the money needed to get a passport.’

David Lane said his daughter had experienced the same problems. He paid for her Crimestoppers ID card when she turned 18 and said he felt he had been ripped off.

‘Fifteen months later and the card has proved to be useless as a proof of age for entry to pubs and clubs, despite the fact that it says it is recognised by the Guernsey Licensed Victuallers’ Association,’ he said.

‘A refusal to accept the legitimacy of such ID as proof of age demonstrates a contempt for the dignity of the cardholder who is, by implication, being treated as if fraudulent, whereas the fraud actually lies with those who promote the card under false pretences.’

The St Peter Port resident said that the cost of the ID was of no concern to him, but the time involved to get it issued in the first place had been a joke.

‘Driving licences are issued before the person is 18 on many occasions, which involves the bouncer on the club door having to do mental arithmetic.

‘Crimestoppers IDs are not issued until the person is actually 18.’

The clubs’ point of view

Claddagh and Rogues owner Martin Rogan said he had not known anyone be refused entry into either of his premises if they had identification.

‘I haven’t experienced any problems or complaints about it,’ he said.

‘To my knowledge, we have never turned away anyone who has presented a legitimate photographic ID.’

Folies owner Tony Le Marchant said the only photographic ID that the club accepted was a driving licence or passport. All others, including student cards, were refused.

‘We very rarely have a problem with fake IDs, but every year people get more clever with these things and if someone can fake a brand new passport, they certainly can fake these,’ he said.

‘I leave the decision up to the bouncer on the door because I’m not going to risk my licence.

‘If they produce an ID but the bouncer still isn’t 100% convinced that they are over 18, then they can still refuse that person entry. That’s what they are employed to do.’

Nobody from Barbados was available to comment.