"Breaches of the Act are not acceptable"

20 July 2007: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is encouraging the public and members of the security industry to report illegal working within the private security industry by using an information portal on the new enhanced enforcement pages on the SIA website.

Individuals can report security companies deploying unlicensed operatives in the following areas, by sector:

• working without a licence
• working with expired licences
• breaching licensing conditions
• working with fraudulent licences
• working with revoked or suspended licences

In relation to the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) individuals can report:

• Breaches of the Licence Dispensation Notice

The new enforcement pages also have up to date news and articles as well as figures for the number of written warnings and improvement notices issued, and the number of SIA licences and ACS approvals revoked.

Illegal activity can be reported through the enforcement portal on the website, by calling Crimestoppers or by calling the SIA contact centre.

Dianne Tranmer, SIA Acting Director of Operations said:

"The protection of the public is our principle aim and breaches of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 are not acceptable. We expect compliance with the legislation at all times but a small minority of individuals and companies think they can break the law and not face any consequences.

Through the enforcement pages, we can receive information and taking an intelligence-led approach, target offenders using thefull range of sanctions available to us.

We welcome any information about companies deploying unlicensed operatives, those working without an SIA licence or who are breaching licensing conditions. I urge the public and the security industry to support us by giving information using the SIA website or through Crimestoppers."

Notes to Editors:

• To report unlicensed activity: visit our website, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or the SIA contact centre on 0844 892 1025.
• The SIA ensures compliance with the legal requirements of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 through an intelligence-led approach, analysing the wide range of information gathered and by developing the intelligence to guide and target enforcement actions.
• The enforcement pages will be updated on a monthly basis.
• The SIA will suspend or revoke a licence if the individual holding that licence is no longer considered 'fit and proper' under the published criteria.