A Blackburn woman has been found guilty of working as a security director without a holding a licence from the Security Industry Authority. Tracy Brownridge, (26) from Blackburn, was a director of Universal Security Solutions Limited based in Accrington, Lancashire. Yesterday, she appeared at Accrington Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to five counts under Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001– working without an SIA licence and one count under Section 9 – failing to adhere to licence conditions. During the hearing, the Magistrates were advised that Mrs Brownridge realised the seriousness of the offences during her interview and that she took the conviction very seriously in view of her future employment prospects.
SIA Head of Investigation, Sara Brennan, said: “A non-front line licence is required for those who manage, supervise and/or employ individuals who engage in licensable activity, as long as front line activity is not carried out – this includes directors. “Tracy Brownridge was a working as a security director providing door supervisors to venues in the Accrington area but failed to obtain a non-front licence. With this criminal conviction, it hinders her chances of holding any SIA licence and therefore, working as a director of a security company, in the future. I would urge all directors and managers of security companies to ensure they comply with the law.”