It is no secret that the evenings in Britain can get a little rowdy once the lights go out and the drinks go down with violence being common place in drinking hot-spots around the country. The night-time economy has long been accused of being unsafe and in order to combat this, the Security Industry has launched it’s national #SaferNightsOut campaign to help protect both security staff and members of the public. Launching today, June 17th 2019, this initiative will see SIA investigators travelling to pubs, bars and clubs across the city to meet with local door staff with promote restraint t...

On 12th June, Alan Blake (35) of Cardiff pleaded guilty at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court to working as a door supervisor despite having had his licence suspended following his conviction of criminal damage at Glamorgan Valley Magistrates' Court on 19 April 2018. Blake admitted to working illegally at Merthyr Tydfil's Iron Dragon pub in October and November last year. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) brought the prosecution, having already suspended Alan Blake's licence in October 2018 due to the earlier criminality. South Wales Police suspected that Alan Blake was still workin...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI), the UK’s most widely recognised, independent UKAS accredited certification body approving companies within the security and fire safety sectors, has announced its support for the World Accreditation Day. A global initiative celebrating accreditation, on Sunday 9th June 2019, focuses on accredited bodies - like NSI - adding value in supply chains. From a security and fire safety sector perspective, installers and service providers of security and fire safety systems and guarding services are a vital ‘link in the chain’ with their expertise at the...

On Tuesday 4 June in Luton, Robert Dass pleaded guilty to two counts under the Private Security Industry Act; of working as an unlicensed security director and a security manager.The SIA brought the prosecution against Dass, who admitted being the director of Roberts Nationwide Support Services Ltd. His guilty plea came ahead of a trial at Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates’ Court. Dass will next appear at Luton Crown Court on 28 June for proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act.Nathan Salmon, one of the SIA's Criminal Investigations Managers said:"The guil...

On Friday 31 May, G.W.E Security Ltd pleaded guilty at Paisley Sheriff Court to supplying an unlicensed security officer for a construction site at Westmuir Street in Glasgow. The operations manager of G.W.E Security, David Scott, also pleaded guilty. The company was fined £1,350 and Scott £450 having pleaded guilty to the same offence. Based in Renfrew, G.W.E Security Ltd was (at the time of the offence) owned by Gillian Elliot and was investigated. In November 2016, the SIA’s Criminal Investigations Team, received intelligence that that there was an unlicensed security guard working at ...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has announced the full list of national finalists for the 2019 edition of the Trade Association’s ever-popular British Security Awards, with the ceremony to be held on Wednesday 10 July at the Marriott Hotel on London’s Grosvenor Square. The British Security Awards celebrate excellence in security both regionally and nationally, focusing as they do on outstanding acts of bravery, customer service, teamwork, innovation and dedication to the industry while duly recognising those individuals and teams who’ve gone above and beyond the call of...

The ACS Pacesetters Achievement Awards Lunch, run by FM Contract Watch, took place on Wednesday, 22nd May, at Royal Windsor Racecourse with 200+ members, their staff, clients and guests in attendance. Once again, the sun was shining as members gathered for pre-lunch drinks at the Riverbank Pavilion. This is the sixth year the lunch has taken place and it is now a recognised event in the security guarding calendar.  Each member company attending was presented with an ACS Pacesetters 2019 Award to recognise that they have achieved an SIA ACS score in the top 15% of all accredited companies. W...

On Monday 29 April, Birmingham resident John Mendy was found guilty in his absence at Birmingham Magistrates' Court. He was fined £600 and required to pay costs of £7,815. John Mendy incurred this significant fine and court costs for ignoring formal requests three times from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). He also failed to attend Birmingham Magistrates' Court for the hearing of his case last December, in March and again on Monday 29 April. The investigation began after the SIA tried to speak to Mr Mendy about why his licence number was being used by someone else at the Witcombe Ci...

A Bedfordshire door supervisor has been sent to prison after being found working with a forged SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence. Norris Dennis, 60, was sentenced at Luton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 24 April to 20 weeks immediate imprisonment. He had pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and one of working without a valid SIA licence. Nathan Salmon, of the SIA's Criminal Investigation Team, said: "The SIA regulates the private security industry, and licenses individuals, in order to protect the public. Trying to get around the licensing regime by creating a fake licence is a...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has announced the regional winners of the Security Personnel Awards. The BSIA holds its annual awards to celebrate excellence in security both regionally and nationally for some of the truly outstanding personnel within the industry, recognising those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their everyday work. Nominations for the BSIA's regional Security Personnel Awards are scored using a Numeric Scoring System based upon levels of achievement criteria, by three regional judges. The Scorecards for each nomination are added up and...