22 March 2007: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) reached a landmark this week by granting the 200,000th licence. This was issued to a front line Door Supervisor.

Andy Drane, Acting SIA Chief Executive said:

"This is a tremendous achievement for the industry, which has made a huge investment in the last three years. 200,000 licences is a significant figure when you consider that there are just over 141,000 police officers deployed in England and Wales.

Perceptions of the security industry are changing; security staff are more and more relied upon to keep the public and their community safe. When we introduced licensing, one of our main aims was to make SIA licence holders valued for their contributions to public protection; for licensed operatives that is exactly what is starting to happen. The SIA licence is a symbol the public can trust."

• 200,090 SIA licences have been issued
• 321,600 SIA approved security qualifications are held*
• 346 security companies have gained Approved Contractor Status
• 6 sectors of the private security industry are now licensed
• 26 new security qualifications have been created
• 6,530 unsuitable people prevented from working in positions of trust

Notes to Editors:

• *Individuals may hold more than one qualification, may not need to be licensed by the SIA, or may not have remained working in the industry. The number of qualifications held is not a reflection of the number of individuals working in the private security industry.
• Since 20 March 2006, SIA licences have been legally required for manned guarding personnel (supplied under contract). For those working in relation to licensed premises, SIA licences have been required since April 2005.
• From 1 November 2007, those operating in designated private security industry roles in Scotland will be required to hold an SIA licence to work legally.