The SIA is supporting a new Home Office campaign, which addresses young adults using fake or false identification when attempting to enter pubs and clubs. The initiative, in association with the Proof of Age Scheme (PASS) advises young people that if they are caught using fake, or someone else’s ID, they could have it confiscated and may be prosecuted. The SIA is urging door supervisors to confiscate false ID and hand them over to the police, who will then return the documents to the relevant authority. Baroness Ruth Henig, Chairman at the SIA said: “We are advising licensees and door sta...

Newmarket Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) held two successful impact days on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 March, clamping down on the issue of drink and drugs in the night-time economy. These days of action come as Suffolk Constabulary and all of Suffolk’s councils sign up to support BBC Radio Suffolk’s ‘Don’t Be A Tosser’ campaign, which is tackling issues of litter, graffiti, fly tipping and anti-social behaviour countywide. Three warrants were executed, with one person being arrested and cautioned for possession of cannabis. Four people tested positive for recent drug use as entrants...

Security Institute Chairman Mike Bluestone reported an excellent year of progress for the organisation at its Annual General Meeting in London on 4th March. With Security Institute President Lord Carlile QC in attendance, plus many of the directors and members of the organisation, Mike delivered his report which included twelve new initiatives for the organisation, including the growth of its admin team and launch of student membership, the mentoring programme and system for continuous professional development. Later in the afternoon, the election of Directors saw Mike Bluestone, David Gill a...

Security company Sabrewatch Limited and its directors have been ordered to pay total fines in excess of £215,000 for deploying unlicensed security operatives, despite being well aware of the law. Sabrewatch Ltd was fined £140,000 at Southwark Crown Court on Friday [26 Feb], after being found guilty on Monday last week [22 Feb] on seven of nine sample counts – many other guards were unlawfully deployed around the country. Director and 94%shareholder Luke Lucas, 61, of Charters Towers, Felcourt Road, East Grinstead (the company address), was fined £70,000. Directors George Charalambous, 46...

Door supervisors checked in clubs and bars in Hackney and Croydon on Thursday and Friday night [11-12 Feb] were all found to be working legally. The Metropolitan Police, with support from the Security Industry Authority, mounted the multi-agency operation. Over the two evenings the teams visited 12 bars and clubs, inspecting 54 door staff – all operatives held and displayed valid SIA licences. The intelligence-led operation was part of a wider police initiative to control gun and knife crime in London boroughs and to provide a visible deterrent, particularly to young people (aged 13 – 24)...

Justin Bentley, the CEO of the International Professional Security Association (IPSA), believes that the long running prosecution of Sabrewatch highlights some inconsistencies in the SIA’s approach to enforcement. IPSA represents 49 member companies who are eligible to be ACS accredited, of which 30 companies have joined the scheme. Justin Bentley sets out his thesis … “When the Security Industry Authority (SIA) first arrived on the scene, they expressed the view that the cost of licensing would be recouped by security companies, with customers happy to pay for a more professional servic...

Public spending on CCTV is worthwhile to secure public safety, is the response of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) to a recent online report highlighting concerns over the rise in the number of CCTV cameras controlled by local councils over the past decade. In its report, published in December, Big Brother Watch - an offshoot of the Taxpayers' Alliance - questions the effectiveness of CCTV in deterring or solving crimes, an inaccurate assessment according to Pauline Norstrom, BSIA CCTV Section Chairman. Pauline comments: "Thankfully the reality of CCTV in Britain is not the ...

A security boss has been ordered to pay £1000 after pleading guilty to supplying unlicensed security guards. William Boyd, 56, of Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, was director of Greenock-based MHM (Scotland). The company deployed security staff to various construction sites in the area. At Greenock Sheriff Court on 1 February, Boyd pleaded guilty to supplying unlicensed security guards to sites and was ordered to pay £1000 by 1 March. By law, contracted security guards must hold and display a valid Security Industry Authority licence. Those who manage supervise and/or employ individuals who eng...

Dave Humphries has joined the SIA as Director of Compliance and Enforcement. Dave takes over from Acting Director Dianne Tranmer who took on the role after the departure of Andy Drane last year. Dave has 25 years experience working at HM Revenue & Customs (and previously at both HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue). He was most recently Head of Criminal and Enforcement Policy tackling serious non-compliance against HMRC, and was responsible for policies concerning criminal justice, proceeds of crime, fraud and the links to wider criminality. Dave was also on the Oversight Group...

The SIA has today launched its new website, which has been developed following current best practice for websites and the findings of extensive user research. The aim of the new site is to make it easier and quicker for users to find the information they need. Included in the new look contemporary website are some of the key improvements, which are; A complete update to the look and feel, An updated user interface and site structure that is built around the way the SIA’s customers use the site, A new step-by-step guide that walks potential applicants through all of the steps involved in o...