Women are increasingly employed as door security staff in a bid to tackle an epidemic of female violence, research by Kate O’Brien, a Durham University sociology lecturer shows. The Security Industry Authority says the number of women employed in clubs has climbed to one in three in some venues while, nationally, the proportion of women bouncers has risen from 2% to 11% in the past two to three years. Clubs are concerned it is not always appropriate for men to deal with altercations among females. Male security staff are wary about physically handling women customers. The Sunday Times 05/02/06 page 15