High Compliance at Top Companies' AGMs

17 October 2007: During the summer, the first round of a Security Industry Authority (SIA) operation focussing on business related close protection compliance took place, when SIA investigators visited the annual general meetings of high profile FTSE 100 companies.

SIA licensing for close protection operatives became law in England and Wales on 20 March 2006 but the covert nature of close protection work makes it difficult to determine obvious levels of compliance.

Of the 109 close protection operatives checked throughout the operation, all but 4 were found to be compliant within the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and held a valid SIA Close Protection licence.

Poppy Saunders, an SIA Head of Investigation said:

"I am pleased to see the great majority of close protection operatives checked at these events were correctly licensed.

The high rate of compliance demonstrated during this operation shows the recognition and value of an SIA licence in this demanding and important sector."

Where breaches of the law were found, SIA investigators took action under Section 3 and Section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

Notes to Editors:

• A Close Protection licence is required when guarding one or more individuals against assault or against injuries that might be suffered in consequence of the unlawful conduct of others.
• To date over 3,108 individuals hold valid Close Protection SIA licences.
• Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 relates to engaging in licensable conduct without a SIA licence. Section 5 of the Act relates to deploying unlicensed persons in licensable conduct.