The SIA, along with all other arms-length public bodies is subject to a review to determine whether we should continue to fulfil our current responsibilities. This review is being conducted centrally and across government. This is a decision for the Government and we cannot comment on speculation. We will continue to fulfil our duties under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and the current law applies: any person undertaking licensable activities must hold and display a valid SIA licence. All ACS terms and conditions continue to apply. The Home Office has issued the following statement:...

Following on from yesterday’s joint statement by SMT Online and Infologue.com, the sector’s major bodies have now voiced their opinions on the future of the SIA. Brian Sims and Bobby Logue report. Having been contacted by SMT Online and Infologue.com, major stakeholders in the regulation arena – including The Security Institute, the BSIA, Skills for Security and NOCN – have all issued statements in the wake of the BBC News report concerning a leaked document from the Home Office which apparently makes comment about the possible future of the Security Industry Authority (SIA). A fuls...

SMT Online Editor Brian Sims and Bobby Logue – the Editor of Infologue.com – have written a joint statement following the BBC News story on the Regulator. Last night, a story on the BBC News web pages referred to a leaked Home Office document apparently suggesting that the Security Industry Authority (SIA) may face the axe as part of the Government’s drive to reduce red tape and costs in the public sector and regulation domains. When approached by the BBC, the Home Office response was not an emphatic denial. What followed was some carefully chosen wording (as reported on SMT Online/info...

The BBC claimed tonight that the Home Office is planning to scrap the Security Industry Authority (SIA) as part of the Government’s widely planned “Bonfire of the Quangos” which seeks to reduce cost, red tape and return accountability to the grass roots.“Abolishing the SIA will not save taxpayers money because it is largely self-financing, but a Home Office document, seen by the BBC, suggests the move would save security firms money and contribute to "reducing burdensome regulation.   The document suggests the industry has matured enough to police itself. “The BBC news report ...

Only accountable to those who can afford to pay and ineffective as public servants said some police chiefs; and a very important and credible resource that we have yet to make the most of said others. A new research report published today suggests the police service may have a resource in private security that could contribute to savings of up to £1 billion through collaboration and new ways of working as challenged by the Audit Commission and HMIC. Interviews with police chiefs suggest that while many feel there is untapped potential in using private security as a resource in this testing c...

Johnny Daniels (D:O:B: 11/07/73) of Cutler Heights Lane, Bradford, pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court yesterday (06/09/10), for money laundering and offences related to operating a business supplying unlicensed security guards to various building sites across the Bradford area. Recorder Babb sentenced Daniels to 12-months imprisonment for money laundering and six months, to run concurrently, for providing unlicensed staff under the Security Industry Act 2001. Under the Act, all security operatives must hold and display a valid SIA licence while working, and security directors must hold at ...

Home Secretary is 'delighted' at outcome of a test case which will see an Ethiopian man deported in the interests of national security. An individual known as XX who poses a threat to national security will be deported to Ethiopia, a court ruled today. The Special Immigration Appeals Court heard that Ethiopian national had attended an extremist camp in the UK, visited Somalia for extremist purposes and was closely associated with those involved in the 7/7 London bombings. Theresa May said: 'I am delighted that the court has agreed with us that it is safe to return this individual to Ethiop...

A door supervisor was arrested and charged with fraud after being found working illegally with a fake SIA licence at a club in Old Street at the weekend. The operation across the borough of Hackney was the last stage in a three month police-led pilot campaign targeting rogue door staff working in pubs and clubs in three London boroughs, Camden, Lambeth and Hackney. On Friday and Saturday [3-4 Sept], 12 venues in Hackney were visited and 41 individuals inspected. Of those, 39 held valid SIA licences. As well as the individual working with the fake licence, a security director was identified wh...

Securitas has developed and launched an internal operating website known as My Securitas as a means of promoting increased knowledge sharing and offering better opportunities for internal networking within the Group. To date, approximately 4,000 Securitas managers in more than 40 markets worldwide have been given access to this business-critical tool, and the intention is to expand this group in the near future. My Securitas is a modern operating tool containing exclusively user-generated content that will seem familiar to experienced Internet users. Using a networking function resembling Fac...

Securitas has acquired the mobile security services company Nikaro in the United Kingdom. Enterprise value is estimated to £2.75million. Nikaro operates as a national security network, and is recognized as one of the top five market leaders in key holding and response services in the United Kingdom. The company, with annual sales of approximately £2.8 million, operates through a network of service providers, and runs currently with over 750 vehicles and 1,200 trained security professionals.  With this acquisition, Securitas further enhance its position as market leader within the mobile se...