Tag: Public Safety

Shaping the future of security licence qualifications

Qualifications Review Update, February 2026

A progress update on our strategic review of qualifications from Tony Holyland, Head of Individual Standards at the SIA.

I want to update you on the progress we are making on our strategic review of qualifications. This work is our major review of the qualifications that operatives require before they can apply for, and in some cases renew, a licence. 

Why this review matters

Licence-linked qualifications are one of the most important ways we can ensure operatives have the safety-critical skills to protect themselves and the public. Getting this right matters — for front-line operatives who need training that reflects what they do, for employers who need confidence in the operatives they deploy, and for the public who deserve assurance that security professionals have been trained and assessed against basic safety-critical skills. 

We are reviewing the qualifications to ensure they:

  • reflect current risks and challenges
  • keep pace with changing industry practice and new technologies
  • contain up-to-date legislation
  • address how social and cultural changes affect the work of front-line security operatives

This review goes beyond updating content. We are also examining how assessment and quality assurance are delivered and taking a fresh look at how top-up and refresher training arrangements have developed over the years. 

What we have done so far

 Since launching the review in November 2025, we have been actively engaging with the private security industry. So far we have: 

  • spoken with over 450 people through our webinars
  • received responses from around 4,500 people through our surveys
  • convened sector-specific Expert Working Groups to develop detailed proposals for new qualification specifications

The response from the industry has been fantastic, and the insights we are gathering are shaping the direction of this review. 

Who is shaping the review

This review is being driven by those who understand security work best — the people who do it every day. 

Advisory Group 

Our Advisory Group provides strategic guidance and challenge throughout the review. The group brings together senior figures from across the sector, including: 

  • representatives from trade bodies and membership associations
  • senior figures from major security employers
  • counter-terrorism and protective security specialists
  • skills and training experts
  • representatives from awarding organisations

The Advisory Group meets every four to six weeks, ensuring we receive expert input on policy issues and emerging challenges as the project progresses. Their contribution has been invaluable in helping us ask the right questions and ensuring our proposals reflect operational realities. 

Expert Working Groups 

Alongside the Advisory Group, our Expert Working Groups are carrying out the detailed work on each qualification specification. These groups are composed primarily of front-line security professionals — door supervisors, security officers, CCTV operators, and close protection officers — supported by subject matter experts in areas such as physical intervention. 

By placing occupational expertise at the heart of specification development, we are ensuring the new qualifications reflect what operatives genuinely need to know and do. 

What we are hearing

Some interesting proposals are emerging from the working groups. I have grouped the main themes below. 

Convergence of skills across roles 

We are seeing a drive for a more substantial common skillset across all licensable roles. This reflects a growing recognition that door supervisors, security officers, and CCTV operators increasingly need overlapping knowledge and skills to work effectively together. Experts are telling us there is growing demand for operatives to be familiar with roles across the industry, to foster better teamworking and collaboration in the delivery of an integrated service. 

Cultural, social, and technological changes 

Some proposals reflect the changing environment in which operatives work: 

  • a shift in focus from drug detection and seizure towards understanding the harms of drug use
  • new content on dealing with social media auditors — members of the public who film security staff and test their responses
  • greater emphasis on staff wellbeing
  • content that better reflects modern thinking on equality, diversity, and inclusion

These changes recognise how significantly the security environment has shifted since the current qualifications were developed. 

Other developments 

We are also seeing strong proposals on: 

  • enhanced physical intervention skills for operatives working in higher-risk environments
  • updates to address the challenges posed by the rise in retail crime
  • modernised professional skills and updated content in close protection

What happens next

All of these proposed changes will be subject to a public consultation, which will be available in the spring. This is your opportunity to have your say on the content and approach for the next generation of qualifications. 

Alongside developing new content, we are working closely with our awarding organisation partners to strengthen the security of qualification assessments and examinations. 

Thank you to everyone who has engaged with the review so far. Your expertise and insights are making a real difference, and I look forward to continuing this conversation through the consultation. 

To stay informed

Turning the Tide on Training Malpractice in the Private Security Industry 

Pete Easterbrook, Interim Director of Inspections and Enforcement talks about a new phase to our approach to tackle training malpractice or mismanagement.

Those working within the private security hold positions of trust and responsibility. It is essential that the public, customers and stakeholders have confidence and trust that security operatives are properly trained, qualified, and capable of keeping people, property and premises safe. A key component of ensuring this trust and confidence is assuring the validity of the qualifications that operatives receive before they can apply for an SIA licence.  The majority of providers who deliver SIA licence linked training are professionals who share our commitment to high standards, however where this is not the case, poor standards and training malpractice can, at its worst, put the public at risk.   

While we play a central role in setting the minimum standards for licence-linked training, we’re not the only players in the game.  We define the core skills and knowledge required for operatives to qualify for a licence. However, the delivery of that training is conducted by around 650 training providers who are in turn approved by six Awarding Organisations (AOs), each regulated by Ofqual (England and Wales), SQA (Scotland), CCEA (Northern Ireland), which oversees quality assurance across the sector.    

Qualifications’ regulation is a well-established model that is in use in other sectors across the UK, but having multiple organisations involved in the process doesn’t always make things straightforward.  Regardless of who is responsible for which part of the process, where a qualification leads to a licence being granted, then our role is to ensure that the individual we have granted a licence to is fit and proper – and that includes possessing the safety critical skills and knowledge to undertake their role effectively.    

In 2024, we began to focus greater attention on training malpractice, which at it’s most serious can constitute fraud – a criminal offence.  As part of this, we undertook work to improve strategic relationships with key partners such as Awarding Organisations and qualification regulators such as Ofqual.  An enhanced communications campaign resulted in an increase in the intelligence we received relating to training malpractice – essential for us to be able to take the appropriate action.  

Since April 2025, we’ve built on the foundations of this work, and we are now moving into a new phase under Operation RESOLUTE.  RESOLUTE has been designed as a high impact initiative with a strong operational focus on intelligence led, unannounced inspections to training providers, as well as a deeper collaboration with partners. 

We are realigning our resources and ensuring we leverage the considerable expertise of our people.  By way of an example, we’ve now brought specialist training integrity resources into our Inspections and Enforcement directorate.  This shift has unlocked wider investigative expertise and enabled a more proactive, intelligence-led approach to tackling training abuse.  In addition, we’ve invested in nationally accredited training to sharpen the investigative skills of our frontline teams to ensure they are equipped to tackle training malpractice head on.   

Our robust and decisive approach is already having an impact.   

Since the 1st April 2025; 

  •  we’ve increased the number of unannounced training centre visits by 120% compared to the same period last year.  Those visits have resulted in 10 training centres having their approval to deliver training withdrawn, and one centre suspended from delivering training until the Awarding Body is satisfied the appropriate standard can be met.  
  • we’ve commenced a criminal investigation in one case due to the serious nature of the offending.  As part of this investigation 17 individual SIA licences have been revoked where our enquiries have brought into question whether the training an individual has received has been up to the required standard.  
  • In July 2025 my teams conducted a series of targeted inspections across the UK, visiting 15 training centres in a single week.  Whilst standards were generally high, four training centres we visited were found to be delivering training below our expectations.  In two cases the issues were so serious the centres were sanctioned by Awarding Bodies and any further training will be scrutinised and monitored. One of these centres was further sanctioned, and the Awarding Body will not authorise the release of any further qualifications until it is satisfied the quality of training can be met 

We are about to undertake a strategic review of the licence linked qualifications, within which we will seek to further reduce opportunities for abuse of the training system.  Naturally, this will involve us taking a close look at how assessments are conducted and administered.  In the meantime we are working closely with partners, will continue our work under Operation RESOLUTE, acting swiftly and decisively to root out abuse, detect and disrupt criminality, and make the private security industry a hostile environment for those who seek to exploit it. 

We will continue to provide updates on our progress as appropriate. 

If you have concerns about a training provider, please do report your concerns: Find out how you report training malpractice. 

More information about the parties involved in delivering SIA licence-linked training is available from our Learn about SIA licence-linked training  page. 

Tackling labour exploitation – an update on Operation EMPOWER 

Ronnie Megaughin, Head of Compliance and Inspections, Security Industry Authority  

In August this year Paul Fullwood, the SIA Director of Inspections & Enforcement, published an article on our response to labour exploitation in the private security industry. This is an update on our operational response to the issue, which we are calling Operation EMPOWER.

The issues that Paul highlighted in his article are most prevalent in extended supply chains involving sub-contracting labour provision to service contracts.

EMPOWER, which has been running for about four months, combines a number of approaches. These include an intensive media campaign, primarily on social media platforms, and an operational response driven by a dedicated team of SIA Compliance and Inspections (C&I) Investigators working closely with partners in HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Home Office Immigration Enforcement (HOIE).

We have raised around 150 investigation cases under the EMPOWER criteria. These relate to tax evasion through bogus self-employment, failure to pay National Insurance, breaches of National Minimum Wage legislation, and abuse of student and skilled worker visas.

Whist some cases are relatively straightforward and can result in a referral to HMRC Fraud Investigation Service, others are far more complex and will require time to work through and gather evidence. One such investigation resulted in Operation JACKFRUIT. This was a UK-wide day of action, led by SIA C&I and Criminal Enforcement investigators in partnership with HMRC and HOIE teams.

The main themes which JACKFRUIT aimed to address were NMW breaches, benefit fraud, abuse of visas, and bogus self-employment. We visited 35 separate sites, with two business inspections included in the plan. HOIE arrested one individual for visa abuse (working on a skilled worker visa in front line security). HOIE have the power to apply significant fines on the offending business in such circumstances. We and our partners are progressing other lines of investigation as a result of the information we obtained on the day.

We adapted our approach to inspections at summer festivals and events this year to include engagement with operatives to establish their employment status and who they were employed by. That work identified 283 individual cases with concerns about employment status. HMRC will follow those up with a view to addressing the companies responsible for their deployment.

We launched our social media campaign on 27 August 2024, using a newly-designed campaign identity based on our brand. Since then we’ve shared more than 50 posts across Twitter (X), LinkedIn and Facebook. We have written messaging to target four specific audiences: general licence-holders, businesses, buyers of security, and potential victims of labour exploitation. Our messages have been seen more than 100,000 times, with a good deal of positive engagement.

A significant challenge we face is the use of closed WhatsApp groups to recruit and arrange deployment of security operatives. At one time many of these groups would post hourly rates well below National Minimum Wage. However, the actions of well-intentioned members of the security industry, who sought to expose them on social media platforms, have driven their activities further underground. Many will now only offer an hourly rate over the telephone. Intelligence indicates that some groups are being operated entirely in foreign languages to further frustrate any attempts to infiltrate them.

Anecdotal evidence and feedback from all our public engagement indicates overwhelming support for our work under Operation EMPOWER. We are under no illusion that there is a quick fix. However there is no doubt that more robust contract management and greater due diligence in supply chains by the larger companies in the private security industry could have a significant positive impact.

We will continue to work under Operation EMPOWER, in partnership with all interested parties, to reduce the harm.

What is spiking and what can I do about it?

This blog was written by Dr Amy Burrell, Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham. She can be contacted  on a.burrell@bham.ac.uk or via LinkedIn

What is spiking?

Spiking is the covert administration of substances (e.g., drugs, alcohol) to another person without their knowledge or consent. People often think about spiking in the context of drinks and, whilst drink spiking (i.e., adding a substance to someone’s drink) is a common way to spike someone, it is not the only way it happens. There are also reports of spiking using food (e.g., lollipops, brownies, gummies), cigarettes and/or vapes, as well as chewing gum and even via needles/injection.

What is commonly used to spike people?

Drugs such as Rohypnol, GHB, and Ketamine have been associated with spiking and incidents involving such substances do occur. However, alcohol is the most common substance used to commit spiking. This is not surprising as it is cheap and easily available, especially when in a night-time economy context.

Why do people spike others?

Spiking is a criminal offence. However, it can also be used to make someone more susceptible to being a victim of another crime. There is little research evidence about motivations but what we do know is that they can vary – for example, from sexual assault to robbery to pranking. We also know that spiking is not always followed by another offence which lends more support to the idea that some perpetrators commit spiking for “fun” or “a laugh”. Whatever the motivation, the impact of spiking can be dangerous and, of course, frightening for the victim.

How can I tell if someone has been spiked?

Symptoms of spiking can vary, depending on the substance used. Sometimes it will look like someone is just very drunk – unsurprising if the substance used to spike is often alcohol. Symptoms can, therefore, look similar to drunkenness – e.g., nausea, dizziness, being unsteady on their feet. Other signs someone might have been spiking include becoming unresponsive, behaving out of character, paranoia, and/or hallucinations.

What should I do immediately/first if I think someone has been spiked?

First and foremost, focus on safety. Seek medical attention if necessary. Also, make the venue aware as well as SIA colleagues working nearby. It is not always easy to establish where spiking has taken place so making everyone aware of an incident is helpful. Listen to the person who is reporting they have been spiked – and their friends – as this will help you identify what will help them calm down/feel reassured/what help they need.

How do I help someone who has been spiked?

Remember that the person might not be aware of what is happening. They might be very frightened and/or distressed. It is important to try and find the person’s friends as, hopefully, this will help you understand what has happened. In particular, it will help you establish where they have been and if their behaviour seems out of character for them. One useful tip is to look at the group and the context – whilst it might be very difficult to determine if someone has been spiked if it is 4am and everyone is drunk, there are other times where it should be much clearer. For example, if it is 10pm and one person seems completely out of it, their friends are nearby, (more) sober, and telling you their friend is behaving oddly then this is a strong indicator of spiking. Either way, if in doubt, work on the basis it could be spiking and take the appropriate action.

How do I report a spiking incident?

Victims can be worried about reporting spiking as they might be frightened or feel like they won’t be believed. I would encourage people to report if they feel able to as this helps us to build up a picture of spiking and the more we know, the more effectively we can respond. Police UK have a website on spiking which includes links to reporting spiking incidents. If the victim would prefer not to contact the police, they can still report what has happened to them – for example, at Stamp Out Spiking and The Egalitarian.

What do I do if I want to find out more?

The Security Industry Authority can signpost you to training that is available to you. For example, the Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training is offered to SIA licence holders via the Safer Business Network. This offers you a good opportunity for supplementary training as an extra to your regular refresher SIA training.

There are also many charitable organisations who can offer help and support around spiking. They often have free resources available and/or options for reporting incidents. For example:

Jo’s Day in a Life at Reading Festival

One of our Investigations Officers, Jo, takes us through two days on site at the Reading Festival, as part of our SIA team ensuring licence holder compliance.

The famous music event attracts over 105,000 festivalgoers each year, while the security provision numbers around 2,000 operatives.

Walking to the festival

Tuesday 22 August

10.45am I arrive at the festival command centre for the event. It’s home to control teams from the police, ambulance and fire services, as well as event control and security. There’s already an impressive buzz to the place. Communication equipment, monitors and displays are arranged in the centre’s multi use courts.

11.00am I meet the rest of our inspection team who are supporting me today. We meet the Safety Manager for the Reading Festival, and he takes us to the site.

Before we’re allowed in, we must go through a site induction and be given our access wrist bands. This was one of the smoothest processes we’ve encountered to access an event. We were impressed by the improvements to the accreditation process implemented since last year.

The weather was glorious – so no festival mud to traipse through.

When operatives arrive, they must scan in a QR code, which amongst other details includes emergency contact details, then they move to accreditation desk.

11.15am The Safety Manager takes us to the compound for one of the larger of the three security companies looking after public safety at the event. Two others are also supplying security. In the main accreditation tent, we get to grips with checking the process and how security officers coming onto the site are being checked.

Our inspection team splits into groups to do the same with the other two companies supplying security.

Firstly, we are assured of how their accreditation is set up. When operatives arrive, they must scan in a QR code, which amongst other details includes emergency contact details, then they move to the accreditation desk.

Each operative is checked against a staff list, their SIA licence is checked against additional photo identity and against the SIA register of licence holders, as well as a physical check of the card itself using an ultraviolet light to test security features.

It is a good set up and well run. We see people being taken out of the line to undergo further clarification on their accreditation, which shows due diligence on behalf of the security company.

Operatives then move through to pick up their uniforms, any equipment they need and a tabard, different colours for security staff and stewards.

Before they leave, they attend an initial briefing and one final SIA licence check.

It was a good set up and well run.

Next to the main stage

12.00pm Within the accreditation area, we undertake our own further checks on SIA licences and contact our operation control to confirm all is well.

By the time we finish, our team has checked 85 licence holders – all good.

It’s worth a note, that the total security provision numbers around 2,000 individuals across the whole weekend, less today as the event is still setting up. But the number of operatives on duty will increase when the festival opens to the public.

1.30pm We man the gatepost where operatives enter to undertake initial checks before they get to the accreditation gate.

2.00pm We return to the main security compound and meet back up with our team who have been doing similar checks with the other companies.

After a brief break, we go to see the deployed security staff. There’s security staff at three gates to the site and more dotted around arena and stages. We go to the main site gate then walk into the arena, checking staff as we go.

On our way back to the security compound, we hitch a ride on a buggy. We are held at a junction to make way for a convoy of 12 ice cream vans!

5.00pm We meet our team and make our way to the exit performing a few more checks along the way.

6.00pm We’re signed out of the site, and I can make my way back home. I endure the M25 again and when I get home, spend a little time catching up on emails and messages before signing off the day.

Thursday 24 August

Jo, Elsie, Dawn and Michelle on site

11.00am We arrive back at the command centre and meet with our team including our Chief Executive, Michelle Russell who is joining us today.

Despite threats of rain, and taking heavy coats and stout shoes, it was another glorious day.

By now, the festival is functioning rather than being set up. The campsites are filling up fast, there are already tents cheek by jowl. Concessions stands are open and the festival feels like it’s getting into full swing.

There are lots of people walking around, sitting about, enjoying the atmosphere, and getting to know where things are. Metal roadways along the main routes save these from turning into mud baths if it rains.

We can see a constant stream of people arriving, some with some strange luggage solutions; chairs strapped to backs, tents being dragged, sleeping bags hanging from rucksacks, things being dropped.

Security staff are now doing their job rather than being accredited.

Operatives are deployed walking around the camps, keeping an eye on concessions, undertaking access controls and deploying searches for main access areas.

There are eight camps in total; white, brown, orange, purple, blue, yellow, orange and eco.

Our team splits into a separate group.

11:30am We head off for ‘white’ camp, the furthest away, about a 30-minute walk. It was a good day for steps. I clocked up around 15,000 during the day.

White camp is over a temporary bridge built over a river. At each of the camps is a camp manager, store and security manager. We make further checks as the Security Manager radios his team one-by-one to come in for a check.

On the way back we check a further two camps. In addition, we sweep up any security operatives we meet as we walk through and carry out further   licensing checks.

1.45pm We stop for lunch sitting down for a well-deserved break. After which, we walk on a bit further to a site access point and carry out some more checks. We don’t interfere with the search area, as this is very busy.

2.30pm We visit the brown and purple campsites on the way back carrying out more licence checks.

4.15pm As we sweep our areas the other team does the same with theirs. We meet up at the main arena where another security company is providing service for the main arena with the huge stage. We introduce ourselves. The manager is helpful but very busy, so we carry out checks as efficiently as possible and let them get on.

“It was good to have our Chief Executive, Michelle Russell along to share our experiences and talk to her about the little things that can help make our jobs easier.”

4.45pm We decide to call it a day and sit in the command centre for a de-brief.

Overall, the team undertook a total of 85 checks during the day.

It was good to have our Chief Executive, Michelle Russell along to share our experiences and talk to her about the little things that can help make our jobs easier.

5.50pm Michelle thanks the event controller and we leave the site.

8.30pm I get home. A quick check in to catch up on emails and messages before logging off for the day.

Overall, the team completed 170 checks during the two-day operation. In addition, I created 14 watchlists and checked 637 licences prior to the event. So quite an achievement.  

This was the first festival operation that I was leading on, and I was pleased with how it went. Everything was well planned and everyone in the team, both (literally) in the field and at control did a marvellous job.

It was good to see the security provision being deployed to a very high standard. All the checks we undertook were positive, testimony to the work we do with security suppliers long before events take place.

Thank you to the SIA team, the security and events management companies and security operatives who all did a fantastic job in keeping the public safe over the two days.

“Everything was well planned and everyone in the team, both (literally) in the field and at control did a marvellous job.”

Safety Advisory Groups

Lucia Howland our Regional Investigation Manager and Tactical Events Lead talks about our role in the Safety Advisory Groups.

Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) are usually co-ordinated by a local authority and made up of representatives from the local authority, emergency services, other relevant bodies and the event organiser.

The group’s role is to:

  • Promote high levels of safety and welfare at events by giving advice and guidance.
  • Promote good practice in safety and welfare planning for events.
  • Ensure events have a minimal adverse impact on the local community.

We are generally invited to SAG meetings by the police or local authority to contribute to the public safety agenda of the meeting- with a particular focus in relation to the provision of security at an event.

In many cases we work with the event organisers to establish their requirements for security.  If necessary, supporting them in confirming the different roles of people working at an event and whether they fall into licensable conduct under the Private Security Industry Act.  For example – is there a correct mix of stewards and is there an appropriate amount of door supervisors and security officers to be supplied.

We do not get involved in the number of security personnel required.  This is not our remit – this has to be specified by the organiser and is sometimes influenced by the police or local authority based on historical events or types of venue.

If a security provider hasn’t been chosen, we will take the opportunity to promote the ACS as a recognised hallmark of quality for security suppliers.

We will highlight to the organisers that their choice of security provider can have a significant impact on the success of their event. We recommend that they carry out some general due diligence enquiries before they choose a security provider. Investing time by undertaking some basic checks can reap rewards.

As soon as a security provider has been appointed there are a number of areas we will look at to reassure ourselves, and the SAG attendees, of the capability and capacity of the provider to deliver the service, these will include:

  • That they are capable of providing the required numbers of security personnel, or if not, have they got sufficient contractual relationships in place to deliver the requirement.
  • What screening and vetting checks of the operatives will be put in place to ensure that the supplied licensed operatives hold a valid and genuine SIA licence. 

From the SAG meeting we can gain an understanding of how the event is likely to run in terms of security personnel being accredited. We may share best practice and known intelligence to support the due diligence practices in place to mitigate as far as possible any known risks.

We will need reassurance that there will be a robust process in place to thoroughly vet and register the operatives deployed.

We don’t attend every event but when we do, we are generally very well received. We work alongside security suppliers during inspections to check the validity of SIA licences. Going forward we will be working even closer with event organisers as customers of security businesses, to mitigate the risk of the use of counterfeit and cloned licences at events and festivals.

Following the event debrief meetings will be arranged with event organisers where needed. These meetings provide an important opportunity for both event organisers and agencies to feedback, learn and share best practice.

Christmas for the SIA Compliance & Investigation teams

John Sandlin leads the Security Industry Authority’s Compliance & Inspections teams. Here he talks about the additional work that Christmas brings as the night time economy gears up for the busiest time for bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.

John Sandlin leads the Security Industry Authority’s Compliance & Inspections teams. Here he talks about the additional work that Christmas brings as the night time economy gears up for the busiest time for bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.

When does planning for Christmas start?
Pretty much as soon as we’ve drawn a breath from the summer events season which finishes around the end of September. Then we start thinking about Christmas. We look at what inspection activity we might want to do and consider requests from partners (such as police, local authorities, and the HMRC) to undertake operations to support their own objectives too. We draw on the huge amount of expertise across the team from colleagues who know the environment well and can help identify issues we need to consider.

London, UK – November 3 2022: Christmas lights in Oxford Street, view at night

So what issues do we need to consider?
In the run up to Christmas there’s more footfall in venues. This creates an increased risk of harm to the public which in turn requires a bigger police presence supported by a larger private security resource. It’s the increased private security deployment that requires our involvement to make sure those working in licensable roles are complying with the necessary regulation.

Although there are variations across the UK, the police tend to focus on ensuring venues are licensed and adhere to the terms and conditions of that licence. This might cover maximum occupancy, fire controls, health and safety considerations and security provision. The police and local authorities are increasingly engaging with venues about protecting the vulnerable alongside checking venue licences. Actually, whenever they are out and about, most agencies talk about protecting the vulnerable as part of protecting the public.

Watch our ‘Helping people in vulnerable situations’ video here

How many of your team are involved in Christmas specific activity?
It’s fair to say all teams are doing some form of activity that directly supports or is impacted by Christmas, so most team members will be involved in that.

As we speak there’s a multi agency operation in Belfast around the ‘ask Angela’ campaign. We’ll be undertaking licence checks, whilst supporting the initiative with messages about the campaign.

Manchester, United Kingdom – November 25, 2011 – Big wheel in the City center of Manchester with beautiful lights during christmas preparation

What additional activities do we deploy for Christmas, is it more of the same or different actions?
We may undertake specific activities, especially if we have solid intelligence that provides a clear aim or benefit. However, Christmas is generally doing more of the same, but with a stronger focus on the night time economy. There’s a huge upshift in volumes and that’s the biggest difference. There’s still a need to continue with other work, for example we’re working in Oxford Street in London during the day, although, to be fair, that’s also connected to the increase in footfall in the run up to Christmas.

What do we do on the front line?
It will depend on the site and any objectives for an operation. However, primarily we’re interested in compliance with the Private Security Industry Act. So, we’re mainly checking individuals are correctly licensed and ascertaining the businesses that operatives work for to build our understanding of the makeup of the local economy. This is especially useful when newly formed companies emerge. We’re also interested in in how labour is deployed and what the labour chain looks like; the more links in a labour chain, the higher the risk of noncompliance. We also check individuals’ employment status which helps identify possible exploitation. Where possible we push other messages and support campaigns to promote awareness and conversations across the industry.

How do security operatives and venues react to your teams’ presence?
Mostly, we get a positive response. Generally, licence holders like to see us out checking licences as they don’t want rogue people in the industry. We occasionally meet one or two unlicensed operatives that may be a little reticent for want of a better word but using our skills we overcome those hurdles.

Do other agencies do similar tasks around Christmas?
The Police and local authorities will be undertaking checks based around venue licensing and will want to assure themselves that venues are complying. Sometimes they may support us on our operations, it depends on specific operations, or sometimes the location. For example, I’d be fairly happy undertaking checks in Westminster without police support but wouldn’t want to do so in other areas without them. That goes not just for London, but anywhere else, you get a good feel for what risks maybe posed in undertaking checks without partners.

How much does the night time economy grow over the festive period?
We always hear that businesses are at their busiest and it’s very true, there are more people in more venues over more nights of the week. There are additional Christmas get togethers with friends, socialising after work, organised office parties – it’s difficult to put a figure on, and it will vary from location to location, but it’s noticeably much busier. Let’s not forget this is the first Christmas without any COVID restrictions.

On top of venues being busier, there are additional entertainment venues and events to consider; pop up fairs, Christmas markets, ice rinks, entertainment offerings, temporary licensed premises.

How stable is resource in the night time economy?
If more door supervisors are needed because a company has a shortfall, then most companies will contract in staff from another to match the demand. However, what sometimes happens is the supplying company will in turn go to another to fulfil the request. This is not a problem as such, but it is a concern. With each company’s loan of resource comes a charge. This can lead to a squeeze on profit margins which is where corners can be cut. When that happens to the risk of improper employment and unlicensed personnel can start to emerge.

How effective are the operations we undertake?
Of course, we have limited resource and we can’t visit every venue. However, what we do has a definite ripple effect. When we’re in a large town or city, just by visiting a few premises, word gets around very quickly that we’re out and about undertaking checks and looking at licences. That has a great deterrent effect within the security community. So, we enlarge the size of our footprint. In addition, we work with colleagues in the Communications team to get the message out and again, this spreads across the community well.

What does it take to deploy an operation?
That’s a good question; lots of work.

Before we set foot on the ground, we undertake pre-inspection activity. This could be meetings with partners, considering intelligence we or our partners have received and undertaking a recce in the locality. We then need to work up aims and objectives before putting an operational order together. Information needs to be created within our database (CRM). Risks also need to be considered and risk assessments completed. We also need to secure resource from across the team and make sure everyone is available for the operation. In addition to staff on the ground, we always have an operational control to assist with licence checks on the STeP database, as well as then inputting the checks onto CRM. This can be quite a laborious task, especially if there are a voluminous amount.

Any last words?
The team are very committed. We have had a fair few new staff so as well as preparing and undertaking activities, experienced team members are also helping to train and guide their new colleagues in this crucial area of work. Everyone in the Compliance & Inspections team plays a part in what we do from the MST to the investigators themselves, supported by colleagues from other teams. The inspection activity being centred on the night time economy requires staff to work evenings and weekends to attend operations, which at this time of year means being out in the cold. I want to thank the teams, I appreciate everyone’s effort and support in keeping the public safe.

About the author

John Sandlin served for 30 years with the Metropolitan Police. He worked as an Investigating and Senior Investigating Officer for over 11 years investigating homicides and other serious crimes. He’s worked at the SIA since early 2015.

Supporting Public Safety during the Freshers season

Kirsty Tagg – SIA lead on preventing violence against women and girls reflects on the industry’s role in supporting a safe and enjoyable Freshers season.

We are now several weeks into the Freshers season. For many students “Freshers week” will mark a first in their lives. For younger students it will be the first time being away from home, their first experience of visiting a bar or club in an unfamiliar area. It’s an exciting time that should be enjoyed safely.

Over the past year along with my colleagues at the SIA, we have run a full-scale programme of engagement across the private security industry in support of strategies initiated by the UK Government and the devolved nations to tackle violence against women and girls. We have published and promoted materials and advice to the wider security sector, that raises awareness of the safety of women and girls in all environments.

The role that private security operatives will play in keeping the student population safe during Freshers season will be critical.
We are currently running a campaign to share and promote best practice guidance to help reduce incidents of violence and harm such as predatory behaviour, sexual assault, and spiking.

As I write this piece, across the country my colleagues are on the ground meeting with security operatives who will often be dealing with vulnerable people who are on a night out. The reassuring thing we are hearing from the industry is “we know what we are doing”. People should be able to enjoy a night out assured of their safety.

We are also speaking with venue owners and buyers of security; they have a responsibility to ensure they are using good companies with licensed operatives. At the end of the day this is about a holistic approach involving a range of actors such as the police, local authorities, educational establishments, street pastors, pub watch and many others.

Our aim is to remind operatives of their training. We also want to remind all those engaged in security that security operatives can proactively protect people in vulnerable situations.
Please read our advice on the contribution that security operatives can make to help keep themselves safe whilst also protecting others.

If you employ or provide security, you and your staff can access this information by clicking on the link below.

Supporting women and girls’ safety: SIA email campaign – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

How to protect yourself and others: guidance for door supervisors – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

To all our licence holders on the frontline, we ask that you please continue to fulfil your role to the highest standards. Thank you for your dedication and professionalism in keeping the public safe.

Kirsty Tagg

SIA Lead – Tackling Violence Towards Women and Girls

Safety at Events

Lucia Howland – SIA Regional Investigation Manager and Tactical Events Lead highlights SIA guidance on industry compliance and public safety at events.

This summer looks set to be one of the busiest times we have seen in a while, with many high-profile events already booked in the national and local calendar. In addition, the potential of some promising weather, suggests that across the UK people can look forward to a summer packed with great festivals for music, food, and the arts.

With the air filled with anticipation and excitement, public safety at these events will be paramount.

I and my colleagues at the SIA have spent the last few months watching all of the planning that goes on behind the scenes. We’ve seen the security industry and the events sector working together to ensure that people can safely enjoy themselves.

The role that private security operatives will play in keeping the public safe at these events will be critical.

Most, although not all, events will require some professional security. Some or all of these security staff may require a licence issued by the SIA.

This week we have published updated guidance to ensure that people providing security services at events are compliant with the law. This means ensuring that security operatives are properly licensed where necessary. If you are providing a security service, this guidance will help you to identify the roles at your event that will by law require an SIA licence.

Our guidance also includes advice on the due diligence checks you should complete when supplying security. It’s important to understand who is legally responsible for conducting those checks, and what evidence to keep.

Throughout the summer we will also be issuing further information and guidance to support security operatives as they carry out their duties at these events.

We will cover a range of issues from how to identify people who may be vulnerable – to information from the government’s “Enough” campaign to end violence against women and girls. Watch out for information on counter-terrorism and best practice on ensuring public safety in crowded places. You can find this information on our GOV.UK pages and via our social media posts.

It looks like it going to be amazing summer. Let’s do everything we can to make it a safe one!