Today, Thursday 4 October 2018, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is launching a consultation on the revised eligibility and ‘fit and proper' criteria requirements for private security businesses seeking approval to the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS). The criteria have been updated as part of the fundamental review of the scheme. A new publication ‘Get Approved' has been produced which contains all of the eligibility criteria requirements for the ACS. The SIA is seeking views on the new document before Friday 16 November. Click on the link to read ‘Get Approved' and click here...

The Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) have announced The Clink Charity as their charity partner for the next 12 months. Commenting on the partnership Martin Gill, Founder of the OSPAs and Director of Perpetuity Research has said “Our longstanding relationship with understanding offending to facilitate better responses is quite fitting – we are delighted to be working with The Clink Charity. Channelling offenders into meaningful work streams is key in helping them to desist from crime.” The Clink Charity trains prisoners in the last 6-18 months of their sentence to obtain...

Entry will close at midnight on Monday 15th October 2018. There are 16 categories to choose from and you are permitted to enter more than one category. Categories and criteria can be viewed here on the OSPAs Website. Entering is free and easy, with only two questions to answer per category – and it can all be done online. The main criteria for entry is that a company, team or individual has performed at an exceptional level. Winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony and dinner to be held at the Royal Lancaster London on Thursday 28th February 2019 where 500 security prof...

Today (Wednesday) the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is launching a consultation which will help to determine the content of the next generation of licence-linked qualifications for the private security industry. The consultation will run for four weeks concluding on 26 October. It is essential that as many people as possible give their views on this important consultation. Employers and prospective operatives spend a considerable sum of money each year on these qualifications, and they need to be fit-for-purpose. The SIA can achieve this only with the help of the private security industry...

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has announced the key changes from the latest review of its flagship Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) for private security businesses. The changes will take effect on 1 April 2019. The ACS was established in 2006 with a stated purpose ‘to protect the public and to maintain and improve standards in the private security industry'. The ACS has undergone a number of reviews but this latest review took a root and branch look at the scheme. Evidence from the extensive consultation suggested that the SIA did not need to make fundamental changes to the scheme...

On Thursday 6 September, at Woolwich Crown Court, Kazeem Oladimeji of Bromley pleaded guilty to an offence under the Fraud Act 2006 of fraud by false representation while working in the security industry. Oladimeji was jailed for five months and fined £115 for gaining employment using fraudulent documentation. He has been in custody since 15 August 2018 following his appearance at Bromley Magistrates' Court. Oladimeji's conviction followed an investigation by the SIA, which stemmed from a report by a former SIA licence holder that his identity may have been compromised. SIA Investigators ...

On 3 September 2018, at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Moses Oshunkoya was sentenced for fraud, having pleaded guilty on 20 August, after using a stolen identity to apply for a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. Oshunkoya had used a stolen identity to apply for a door supervision licence three times since 2007. He used the details of an acquaintance, a Dr Soetan, who realised his identity had been compromised in May 2015. Upon returning to the UK, the Border and Immigration officials alerted him that his identity may have been stolen. Dr Soetan contacted the SIA who investigated the matter...

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has begun a wide ranging review of the licence linked qualifications. The regulator has widened the scope of this work to consider not just the mandatory qualifications it requires, but how to support the industry to address the skills and knowledge needed by operatives, throughout their careers and across the private security industry. The review will also look to ensure that robust assessment processes exist to ensure the integrity of the qualifications achieved. Crucial to the success of this project is the engagement of industry and stakeholders. The...

The UK OSPAs are now in their third year and form part of a global awards scheme currently running in eight countries to recognise and reward proven outstanding performance across the security sector. Entry to the UK OSPAs is completely FREE and open to companies, teams and individuals who have performed at an exceptional level, and you don’t have to be a member of an organisation or association to enter. 2019 sees the introduction of a number of new categories which have been added to the mix to acknowledge both in-house and contracted security personnel and new security products. The en...

Last Friday 27 July, at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Showtime Security Guards Ltd and its director, Maria Francis were sentenced, having pleaded guilty in June 2018 for supplying unlicensed security operatives in Shropshire. Ms Francis was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge and the company was fined £2,700 and ordered to pay £500 in costs. In June, the owner of Showtime Security Guards Ltd, Matthew Davies, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. On Friday 27 July, he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and given a further 14 days, for supplying unlicensed securit...