'Operation Seahog' - Successful Joint-Agency Operation
22 September 2006: Yesterday, as part of 'Operation Seahog', Security Industry Authority (SIA) investigators working closely alongside Merseyside Police and other partners targeted rogue security firms, unlicensed security activity and links to serious and organised crime.
The operation, which focused particularly on rogue security companies, began with a series of dawn raids. Merseyside Police with support from SIA investigators targeted twenty-two addresses in the Merseyside area - all linked to serious and organised crime.
Fourteen arrests were made for a number of offences related to drugs, firearms, theft and vehicle crime. A number of items were seized including 1.5 kilos of what is believed to be cocaine, £10,000 cash, a section 5 firearm, computer equipment, financial documents and a large quantity of stolen goods.
Later that afternoon, SIA investigators supported Merseyside Police officers and representatives from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Immigration in visits to security offices at eighty-one construction company sites in Merseyside. Checks were carried out to ensure that companies providing security at the sites were legitimate and only providing SIA-licensed security operatives.
During the visits forty-three people were issued with summons for working without an SIA licence, a further nine people were arrested for Immigration offences and fourteen people were reported for possible DWP offences. Investigations are continuing.
Leading the Security Industry Authority team of investigators, Lucia Howland, SIA Head of Investigation - Northern Region said:
"I am delighted to be working with Merseyside Police on this pioneering initiative, which I hope will be followed by other forces in England and Wales. 'Seahog' is a demonstration of the way we at the SIA prioritise our resources and work smartly with partners to 'punch above our weight' to ensure compliance with the law.
"We fully support Merseyside Police and our partners in 'Operation Seahog', they, like us, want to ensure that only trained, qualified and fit and proper people provide private security services in Merseyside."
Merseyside Police Chief Superintendent Andy Cooke, said:
"Merseyside Police is committed to tackling those involved in serious and organised crime and today officers have arrested fourteen people with links to crime involving firearms, drug supply and rogue security firms.
Eight weeks ago Merseyside Police announced it would be taking strong action against rogue security firms involved in intimidating construction firms on Merseyside to gain contracts - today's arrests and visits to security firms show that we mean business. We are not prepared to let rogue security firms get a foothold in Merseyside at the expense of legitimate businesses on Merseyside.
Warning letters have already been sent out to security companies warning them that all security firms on Merseyside will need to be SIA approved contractors. They have been given a short period to get their house in order and get their staff licensed under SIA regulations. Those security firms which fail to comply will be attacked from all angles by Merseyside Police and its partners, including Liverpool Council, Wirral Council, Sefton Council, the SIA, HM Revenue & Customs, Immigration and the Department of Work and Pensions."