Bill Butler, CEO, the SIA
The Security Industry Authority has launched a new and easier way for individual applicants to apply for their SIA licence, Vigilance can reveal.
According to a spokesperson for the SIA the new service with the Post Office makes applying for a new SIA licence easier and cheaper, adding most applicants will no longer need to post valuable documents and supply a photograph, which can be costly and inconvenient.
This is how it will work:
- Applicants fill in their licence application on the SIA website and they are told which identity and other documents to take to a participating UK post office to complete their application.
- The post office staff check and return the applicant's documents. They will also take a digital photograph of the applicant, take an electronic version of their signature, and take payment of the application fee.
- The applicant's photograph and signature are sent to the SIA electronically by the Post Office. The SIA adds them to the application information already received and continues with its checks, just as it does today.
The applicant will not be charged by the Post Office for using the service.
Vigilance learnt that the new service would be available alongside existing methods of applying for a licence until early in 2014, when it would replace the paper application form as the way to apply for a new licence.
SIA Director of Service Delivery Stephen McCormick said: "Our new licence application service will make applying for an SIA licence easier and cheaper, reducing the overall cost for the applicant. We are really pleased to launch this new service with the Post Office; this is a crucial step as we move away from a paper based system. The face to face element of the new service will reduce errors, which can cause applications to be rejected, and will help to discourage fraud."
Kevin Seller, Head of Government Services at the Post Office said: "We are excited to be introducing this service at the Post Office. Our involvement will reduce application errors and means less cost and inconvenience for applicants who can now keep their identity documents in their possession by having them checked at the Post Office.
Mr Seller added: "The Post Office currently provides a broad range of government services such as renewing passports, driving licence applications and biometric facilities. We are very pleased to be providing the face to face element of the SIA’s new online licence application service and supporting the delivery of modern digital services on behalf of government."
Security Boss Sentenced to 27 Month Imprisonment
In another development at Luton Crown Court on 5 July, a Bedfordshire security director was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Vigilance learnt that Thomas John Rice, 42, of Bedford Road, Wilstead, Bedfordshire, ran Paragon Security Services Ltd, a vehicle clamping and removal business based in Bedfordshire. Contrary to the SIA practice procedures for the private licenced security sector Rice did not hold an SIA licence, and appallingly, his company was said to have employed staff without frontline vehicle immobiliser licences, or whose licences had expired.
Paragon Security which ran from October 2005 to 2011 is believed to have taken £500,000 from parking services during that time. It was gathered that when the SIA became aware of Paragon Security, Mr Rice provided false names to the Authority and employed licensed staff for a few weeks to give the appearance of a responsible company.
Rice was not charged with offences under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, but was instead charged with offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The charge of acquiring criminal property related to proceeds of crime made from providing parking services (clamping) without the appropriate SIA licence.
Darren Woodhouse, an SIA Head of Investigation said: "The sentencing Judge said that the licensing regime was set up by Parliament to protect the public from 'cowboy clampers', that an unlicensed business like Rice's left the public unprotected. The Judge recognised that Rice had deliberately chosen not to get a licence because his previous convictions for violence and dishonesty meant his application would be turned down.
"The Judge said that the company takings were significant amount of money, and no VAT or tax was paid on it. In sentencing Rice the Judge said that if it was not for his guilty plea, Rice would have received a sentence of 2½ years."