SIA’s Operation Spectrum storms Leeds, other towns on compliance test amongst private security industry workers
In order to separate the chaff from the wheat, the genuine from the fake , the registered from the unregistered, the illegal from the legal, the Security Industry Authority of the United Kingdom early this month despatched its compliance inspectors to Leeds, Bristol and Kingston upon Thames on “Operation show your badge or be prosecuted” officially tagged “Operation Spectrum.”
During the period the exercise lasted, more than 200 security guards and door supervisors were inspected in Leeds, Bristol and Kingston upon Thames.
The Security Industry Authority’s teams of investigators were deployed to 89 security sites including retail parks, shopping centres and their CCTV suites, pubs, clubs, businesses and trading parks.
Vigilance learnt that the aim of the operation was to test compliance amongst those working in the private security industry.
According to our source, 202 individuals were inspected and the SIA investigators found 199 operatives working legally by holding and displaying valid SIA licences.
In Bristol alone, 40 sites Vigilance gathered were checked with 95 security staff inspected, but no offences were found. Also, licence checks were made from sign-in sheets and staff lists with no issues detected.
In Leeds breaches of license conditions were discovered when 29 sites were visited and 62 security personnel were checked. The SIA investigators found two security guards who failed to display their SIA licences in contravention of the law.
The SIA inspectors, who also went to Kingston upon Thames, visited 20 sites while they were there and 45 individuals were inspected and one offence was detected as a security guard who was undertaking public space surveillance (CCTV) activity did not hold a licence for this sector.
In each of the targeted areas, SIA investigators identified either a venue or business that will require follow up enquiries.
Director of Compliance and Enforcement Mr Dave Humphries said:
"The results of this operation are excellent, in that we found more than 98% compliance with the law. It is clear that awareness of the requirements is high and that the vast majority of people understand the need to be licensed before performing private security activities.”
Humphries who was very pleased by the high level of compliance added: “Operations like this help us gather information to take an intelligence-led approach to enforcement. They can also help to act as a deterrent against future non-compliance of individuals and security providers working in the targeted areas.”
Humphries urged all those working in these positions of trust to adhere to the law by holding and displaying the correct licence for the role they are carrying out, because, “In our aim of protecting the public, we expect compliance with licensing requirements at all times. We will be conducting similar operations in the future."
It is an offence throughout the United Kingdom to work in the following designated sectors without an SIA licence:
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- Cash and Valuables in Transit
- Close Protection
- Door Supervision
- Public Space Surveillance (CCTV)
- Security Guard
- Key Holding
- Immobilisation, restriction and removal of vehicles (except in Scotland)
The Security Industry Authority regulates the private security industry in the United Kingdom under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, reporting to the Home Secretary. Its main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme approving private security suppliers