Guilty of Providing Unlicensed Security Operatives

24 April 2007: Yesterday at Merseyside Crown Court, three men from security company [Details removed] were each found guilty of seven offences under Section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 - providing unlicensed security operatives.

The three men had been arrested and charged by Merseyside Police as part of Operation Seahog - tackling rogue security firms and unlicensed security activity in the Merseyside area.

• [Details removed] was fined £1,500 with £60 costs
• [Details removed] was fined £1,500 with £60 costs
• [Details removed] was fined £1,000 with £60 costs

Lucia Howland, an SIA Head of Investigation said:

"I'd like to thank Merseyside Police for their support in tackling unlicensed security activity in the city. We all have a clear role in working together to help protect the public from untrained, unqualified and unlicensed security operatives. SIA licensing ensures that those in positions of trust are fit and proper people for their role and the people of Merseyside deserve no less."

Chief Superintendent Andy Cooke of Merseyside Police said:

"Since last summer Merseyside Police has constantly shown its commitment to ridding the city of rogue security firms who use illegal practices and thrive on the gains to be made from the regeneration of the city prior to the Capital of Culture year.

We are not prepared to let such firms get a foothold in Merseyside at the expense of legitimate business. Since the operation targeting rogue security firms started last summer Merseyside Police has taken action against 241 people for Section 3 offences under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (working without an SIA licence). The three people fined today were in breach of Section 5 offences under the attack, which is aimed at those who employ security guards without a licence."