Boss of the SIA Executive Bill Butler welcomes the key findings of the recently published IFSEC Global.com and Optima Group 2014 Security Training and The Security Industry Authority (SIA) Survey. The survey provides valuable insight on the views of security professionals, and their thoughts on the SIA's licensing regime and security training.
Mr Butler said: "The survey sought the views of security professionals across the sectors, and I'm pleased the findings demonstrate the security industry's commitment to training, to regulation, and to delivering a quality service."
Butler added: "There are, of course, still some key issues to be resolved between Government, the SIA, and the security industry, but it's clear from this survey that the industry and our stakeholders, recognise the value of SIA licence-linked training and the benefits that the SIA licensing regime has provided."
The survey responses included:
Over 70% of respondents said they were 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with the instruction they received on their Security Industry Authority approved training - in terms of how it prepared them for their role in security.
Over 77% of respondents said that the introduction of SIA licensing has improved (hugely or slightly) the security sector's image. Only 5.4% believe it to have been detrimental.
Over 61% think the SIA's minimum requirements for obtaining an SIA licence are not sufficient enough in scope, and think the requirements are too low. 36.9% believe them to be just right.
65.5% of respondents to the survey have sought additional training above and beyond that which is mandatory to obtain an SIA licence.
Over 82% of respondents believe that the licensing of in-house security should be mandatory.
68% of respondents did not think the SIA licence-linked training included sufficient information on current or emerging threats - such as terrorism, attacks on critical national infrastructure, cyber criminality, fraud, and outbreaks of civil disorder. 32% said the training did include sufficient information.
Over 73% of respondents believe a clear and defined professional qualifications framework across the security sector would make the sector far more attractive to potential joiners as a career option.
The survey reported:
'Over the years, the SIA has done a tremendous job in 'policing' licence holders, be they security officers, door supervisors, event stewards, or CCTV operators in the public realm. Enforcement inspections do take place on a regular basis right across the UK, and there have been notable prosecutions for those who have been convicted of breaking the law.'
'Although not yet in a perfect state, the security guarding world has progressed markedly from the stereotypical images of old and the SIA must take some of the credit for this advancement'.
'If this survey is anything to go by, there is clearly a good deal of satisfaction around SIA-centric training courses.'
The survey concluded:
'There is no doubt that the security sector is a progressive environment and one which needs to be brought to the attention of bright and enthusiastic people seeking a career.
'Security is an expanding and hugely important sector with many different options for those entering the sphere. Specifically, it is one that can - and does - make a fundamentally positive difference to our wellbeing and safety.'
South Yorks Security Bosses Guilty of Supplying Fake Operatives
On Tuesday [15 July], at Rotherham Magistrates' Court, two security company directors pleaded guilty to a total of 38 private security offences.
Using security company names Dragon Security Solutions and Goodfellas Nightspot Barnsley, the two directors supplied unlicensed security guards to unsuspecting customers in South Yorkshire over a nine month period.
The unlicensed security operatives were not trained or vetted, and could have posed a threat to the very customers they were supposed to be protecting.
Ian Lindsay, 48, of Market Street, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to: 3 charges of failing to provide information to the Security Industry Authority, 4 charges of working as an unlicensed security director, and 9 charges of supplying unlicensed security operatives.
Martyn Cook, 56, of Philip Avenue, Nuthall, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to: 4 charges of working as an unlicensed security director, and 9 charges of supplying unlicensed security operatives.
Both Lindsay and Cook pleaded guilty on behalf of their companies to: 9 charges of supplying unlicensed security operatives under Dragon Security Solutions Ltd and Goodfellas Nightspot Barnsley Ltd.
SIA Investigations Manager, Nathan Salmon, said: "In August 2013 the SIA received intelligence to suggest Dragon Security was supplying unlicensed operatives to unsuspecting customers. When we sought information about Dragon Security it became clear that neither Lindsay nor Cook was licensed to run a security company.
"Dragon Security was dissolved, and another company, Goodfellas Nightspot Barnsley, run by Lindsay and Cook, continued to provide security operatives to Dragon Security's customers.
"There was sufficient public interest in this case to prosecute the two individuals and the companies. The SIA has removed these two from the security industry, and protected unsuspecting security buyers from putting their businesses at risk with unlicensed security operatives.
"Lindsay and Cook's failure to provide information to the SIA may have concealed wider offending. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with anyone, customer or employee, who has been involved with the companies since October 2013. Information can be passed to me either via the SIA website or anonymously via Crimestoppers."
***Sentencing of Lindsay and Cook will take place on 3 October 2014.