In August 2005, a number of door supervisors taken to court for having NO licence received fines of up to £200 or conditional discharges. Less than two years later a door supervisor is fined £400 and his licence revoked for REFUSING TO DISPLAY IT.
We don't see all the background information and there may be other factors involved, but let's hope this is the first sign of some quality enforcement.
The SIA are quick to plead insufficient resources for enforcement and say that they are reliant on other agencies, e.g. the police, for any enforcement actions. The police however also do not have unlimited resources and often have to make judgement calls about best use of their resources. This is why it is important if and when a case is taken to court, that the outcome is a suitable deterrent.
Even recently, I am still hearing cases of people risking working without a licence, usually with the excuse of "the court fine is less than the cost of the licence". Hopefully this is the first sign that the situation is changing, but only time will tell.
Justin P. Bentley Association Secretary International Professional Security Association
S.I.A Approved Contractor Status & the Investor in People recognition (23.04.2007)
As part of our continuous development we are currently moving towards ACS Status (S.I.A approved contractor scheme) and the Investor in people recognition. Shirley Roberts - Accounts & Administration Manager for SGM said “This is a natural step for our company and we welcome the challenge that lies ahead of us"
New member of the SGM team...... SGM are delighted to welcome Constandino Christou (Dino) to the team. Dino will be responsible for the procurement of new contracts and developing our sales stratergy. Dino said "I am looking forward to my new role and hope to build on the success that SGM have already achieved".
New Premises for SGM
SGM have secured new prestige offices in Dunstable. David Copperthwaite - business development manager for SGM said, "This represents a significant step forward for SGM and shows our commitment to scaling services to match our clients' needs".
Looking Glass Productions Ltd
SGM Security would like to thank Looking Glass Productions Ltd for the work they have done towards building this site.
Industry news....................
Three Charged With Section 5 Offences
14 March 2007: Three men have been arrested and charged by Merseyside Police with offences under Section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (providing unlicensed security operatives).
The three, all from Secure Guarding UK Ltd, are:
Company director, Philip Jellyman (36) of The Mews, Parbold
Company director, Wayne Margerison (40) of Glade Drive, Little Sutton, Wirral
Operations manager, Steven Margerison (42) of Bowley Road, Old Swan.
They are each charged with seven offences under Section 5 of the PSIA 2001 and are due to appear at Liverpool City Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 20 March.
97% of all door supervisors now SIA Licensed.....
Joint-agency Enforcement Operations a Success
25 January 2007: Security Industry Authority (SIA) enforcement operations carried out in the last quarter of 2006 have been hailed a success as results show 97 out of every 100 door supervisors checked are SIA licensed.
A total of 39 joint operations took place across all regions of England and Wales, in cities, towns and villages, with SIA Investigators working closely with partners from the Police, Local Authorities, Department of Works & Pensions, Trading Standards and HM Immigration. Of the 1,130 door supervisors checked, 1,095 held valid SIA Door Supervisor licences.
Announcing the results, Sue Sheath, an SIA Head of Investigation said:
"Working with our partners we visited licensed premises across the country and we were all impressed with the levels of professionalism and commitment shown by door supervisors, and the high rate of compliance with the law. It's reassuring that door supervisors and licensees have recognised the importance and value of an SIA licence.
The fact that we found 97 out of every 100 door supervisors are now SIA licensed is good news for the licensed trade and it demonstrates to the public that the old style 'bouncer' is being consigned to history."
Notes to Editors:
To date the SIA has issued 67,900 front line Door Supervisor licences and 1,100 non-front line Door Supervisor licences.
SIA Licence Application Fee Set to Rise
12 January 2007: On 6 April 2007 the Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence application fee is expected to rise from £190 to £245. The new fee would apply to licence applications for all licensable sectors throughout England, Wales and Scotland.
The Home Office today published a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) that outlined an intention to raise the licence application fee, demonstrating that an increase is needed to enable the SIA to meet its need to be self-funding, and to continue achieving the objectives of licensing. The RIA illustrates an increase in the licence application fee is necessary because SIA income from licensing has been less than expected. The shortfall stems from unreliable and unavailable data gathered in 2002/03, before the start of licensing, and from changes taking place across various industry sectors.
Licence renewal applications can be made up to four months in advance of licence expiration and, if received by the SIA before the intended increase on 6 April 2007, will be processed at the current fee of £190.
To enable the SIA to be self-funding the new fee of £245 has been planned in consideration of the future licensable population (using more reliable data now available), the likely churn rate across the private security industry and SIA running costs. The SIA will move towards reviewing the licence fee on an annual basis.
Notes to Editors:
To come into force by 6 April 2007 the fee increase planned in the RIA is conditional upon the making of a section 102 Order under the Finance (No 2) Act 1987, followed by the appropriate negative regulations under the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
Government and HM Treasury accounting regulations require SIA licence fees to be set on a full-cost recovery basis.
Security Manager Guilty of Deploying Unlicensed Operatives
"A blatant disregard for the legislation"
11 January 2007: Today at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court, Bernard Driscoll (52), of 12 Heritage Court, Gwaelodygarth Road, Merthyr Tydfil, pleaded guilty to six offences under Section 5(1) of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 – deploying unlicensed security operatives.
Driscoll was fined £6,000 (£1,000 for each offence) and he was ordered to pay £5,000 costs.
On 28 October 2005, Security Industry Authority (SIA) investigators, with support from South Wales Police, carried out an operation targeting unlicensed security activity in the Merthyr Tydfil area. Following a year-long investigation Driscoll was summonsed to answer offences of deploying unlicensed door supervisors at licensed premises.
Sentencing Driscoll, District Judge Charles said:
"These were serious offences for which there had been a warning. You either had a blatant disregard for the legislation or you couldn’t care less."
Sue Sheath, an SIA Head of Investigation said:
"Driscoll provided unlicensed door staff to venues in the Merthyr Tydfil area, putting the safety of the venues' customers at risk. However, Driscoll did not account for the operation carried out that night by the SIA and South Wales Police to ensure compliance with the law at pubs and clubs in the area.
I would like to thank South Wales Police for working with us to enforce the law and the court for recognising the seriousness of the offence. The Welsh public deserve, and should expect, to only see trained, qualified and licensed door staff working to create a safe environment at their pubs and clubs."
Notes to Editors:
Since 20 March 2006, SIA licences have been legally required for manned guarding personnel (supplied under contract). For those working in relation to licensed premises in Wales, SIA licences have been required since September 2004.
To attain an SIA Door Supervisor licence applicants must undertake an approved four-day training course, achieve a recognised qualification and undergo an identity and criminal record check.
Security Guards Called to Appear in Court
10 January 2007: at Merseyside Magistrates' Court, 21 men were summoned to appear to answer charges under Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (engaging in licensable conduct without an SIA licence). The offences relate to Operation Seahog - the Merseyside Police (with support from the Security Industry Authority) multi-agency initiative targeting rogue security companies, unlicensed security activity and links to serious and organised crime that could damage the reputation of the construction industry.
In court yesterday, 7 defendants pleaded guilty to offences and were fined or received a conditional discharge, all were ordered to pay costs. 14 cases were adjourned to a later date. Further prosecutions may follow.
Lucia Howland, an SIA Head of Investigation said:
"These first results demonstrate that Operation Seahog is beginning to have an effect on the unlicensed sectors of the private security industry in Merseyside. This is just the start of a long-term initiative to ensure that the rogue element is removed from Merseyside's security industry and the SIA will continue to work closely with our partners in the police to ensure compliance with the law.
With the huge opportunities for businesses in Merseyside leading up to Liverpool City of Culture in 2008, we, and the police, want to ensure that only legitimate and compliant security companies benefit from the lucrative security contracts."
SIA / Police Joint-Agency Operation
19 December 2006: On Friday 8th December, investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and officers from the City of London Police carried out licensing checks to ensure door staff were complying with the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
Visits were made to 33 licensed premises across the Square Mile. Out of 69 door staff checked: 62 held valid SIA licences and 7 people were warned for offences under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 - 6 for working without an SIA licence and 1 for failing to display their licence while working.
David Porter, an SIA Head of Investigation said:
"I am extremely pleased with the level of compliance achieved and the support we received from City of London Police. The vast majority of door supervisors working in the City are trained, qualified and SIA licensed. I welcome their professional approach; however, all door staff must take responsibility to ensure they comply fully with the law, and for the protection of their customers, licensees must only allow SIA licensed door staff to operate at their venues."
Notes to Editors:
Since 20 March 2006, SIA licences have been legally required for manned guarding personnel (supplied under contract). For those working in relation to licensed premises, SIA licences have been required in London since 11 April 2005.
Police / SIA Joint-Agency Operation
29 November 2006: Yesterday, Merseyside Police supported by Security Industry Authority (SIA) Investigators, representatives from the Department of Works & Pensions (DWP) and HM Immigration Service, targeted construction sites across Merseyside to ensure companies providing security services were legitimate and only providing SIA licensed operatives.
Visits were made to 62 construction sites across the city, 25 people were reported for offences under Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and 10 people were reported for possible DWP offences.
Merseyside Police signified their commitment to working with partners to drive out rogue security from the city by conducting raids at 16 addresses across Merseyside and making 11 arrests. Officers also seized a number of untaxed and uninsured vehicles believed to be linked to rogue security companies.
Chief Superintendent Andy Cooke of Merseyside Police said:
"Merseyside Police is committed to tackling those involved in providing rogue security services across Merseyside, and today officers have arrested 11 people in a crackdown on rogue security firms.
We are not prepared to let rogue security firms get a foothold in Merseyside at the expense of legitimate businesses. Those security firms which fail to comply with the law will be attacked from all angles by Merseyside Police and our partners."
Leading the SIA's team of Investigators, Lucia Howland, an SIA Head of Investigation said:
"We are all working together with Merseyside Police and partners in the construction industry to ensure that only trained, qualified and fit and proper people are employed to provide contracted security services at the city’s construction sites.
We all have a clear interest in helping to protect the public by raising standards in the private security industry and driving out criminality. This operation sends out a clear message to Merseyside's security companies that they should only deploy SIA licensed security guards. Those using unlicensed guards could face prosecution, damage their business reputation and their insurance cover may be jeopardised."
Licence Application Backlog Officially Over
Licence Processing Times Back to Normal 29 November 2006: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence processing backlog, caused by a late flood of licence applications earlier in the year, is now officially over and licence application processing times are back to normal. Paul Douglas, SIA Assistant Director Licensing, said: "A licence processing backlog built up from the flood of late applications leading up to and after the licensing deadline for the manned guarding sectors. We worked hard to process applications, we cleared the backlog in September and processing times have returned to normal. The usual processing time for licence applications is approximately six weeks - for correctly completed applications that require standard checks. However, applicants need to be aware that complicated applications or those requiring; overseas criminality checks, qualification verifications or additional CRB clarification, may take longer."
SIA Issues Court Summons to Security Company Director
3 November 2006: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has issued summons to Bernard Driscoll, Company Director of Security Solutions & Investigations Ltd and Security Solutions & Investigations Ltd, of Church Street, Merthyr Tydfill, to appear at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court to answer a number of charges under Section 5 (1) of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The first date of hearing is 30 November 2006.
Under this section, it is an offence to provide unlicensed security operatives to another. The penalties for committing such an offence can be:
Summary conviction at a Magistrates' Court - the maximum penalty is six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000, or
On indictment at the Crown Court - an unlimited fine and/or five years imprisonment.
The summons relate to a year long SIA investigation.
Notes to Editors:
Since 20 March 2006 SIA licences have been legally required for manned guarding personnel (supplied under contract). For those working in relation to licensed premises, SIA licences have been required since 11 April 2005.
