Police / SIA Joint-Agency Operation

29 November 2006: Yesterday, Merseyside Police supported by Security Industry Authority (SIA) Investigators, representatives from the Department of Works & Pensions (DWP) and HM Immigration Service, targeted construction sites across Merseyside to ensure companies providing security services were legitimate and only providing SIA licensed operatives.

Visits were made to 62 construction sites across the city, 25 people were reported for offences under Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and 10 people were reported for possible DWP offences.

Merseyside Police signified their commitment to working with partners to drive out rogue security from the city by conducting raids at 16 addresses across Merseyside and making 11 arrests. Officers also seized a number of untaxed and uninsured vehicles believed to be linked to rogue security companies.

Chief Superintendent Andy Cooke of Merseyside Police said:

"Merseyside Police is committed to tackling those involved in providing rogue security services across Merseyside, and today officers have arrested 11 people in a crackdown on rogue security firms.

We are not prepared to let rogue security firms get a foothold in Merseyside at the expense of legitimate businesses. Those security firms which fail to comply with the law will be attacked from all angles by Merseyside Police and our partners."

Leading the SIA's team of Investigators, Lucia Howland, an SIA Head of Investigation said:

"We are all working together with Merseyside Police and partners in the construction industry to ensure that only trained, qualified and fit and proper people are employed to provide contracted security services at the city’s construction sites.

We all have a clear interest in helping to protect the public by raising standards in the private security industry and driving out criminality. This operation sends out a clear message to Merseyside's security companies that they should only deploy SIA licensed security guards. Those using unlicensed guards could face prosecution, damage their business reputation and their insurance cover may be jeopardised."

Notes to Editors:

• Since 20 March 2006 it has been illegal to work as a contracted security guard in England & Wales without a licence issued by the SIA. It is also an offence for security company managing directors to operate without a licence or to provide unlicensed operatives.
• Section 3 of the Private Security Act 2001 relates to conduct prohibited without an SIA licence.
• This is the second operation targeting construction sites in Merseyside; the first took place on 21 September 2006.
• Anyone with information about rogue security companies or unlicensed security activity can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.