7 December 2007: Last week, a team of Investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) visited door staff and security guards working at licensed premises and security sites in Inverness to check compliance under the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

The visits were part of the nationwide multi-agency campaign Festive Spice, which sees SIA investigators working alongside partners to carry out weekend checks on door staff at licensed premises during the run-up to the busy Christmas and New Year period.

On 29th and 30th November, officers from the Northern Constabulary supported SIA Investigators checking 13 sites around Inverness. Of the 16 operatives checked, 11 individuals were issued with warnings under Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (working without an SIA licence). 5 operatives were deployed lawfully and were displaying their SIA licences.

Jenny Pattinson, an SIA Head of Investigation said:

"Security guards and door staff who work without an SIA licence, and those deploying them, are committing an offence and it is disappointing that the majority of those checked were not complying with the law.

The security industry and night-time economy are growing and important sectors in Scotland. SIA licence holders are qualified and professional operatives and there is no longer a role for amateurs."

Inspector Bob Pollock, at Northern Constabulary said:

"We were extremely disappointed to find that 69% of those operatives checked during the joint Police, SIA operation were found to be working without an SIA licence. The provision of door stewards assists in the maintenance of public order and safety, and the purpose in having trained, registered door stewards is to provide the public with a service in which they can have confidence and trust. We would therefore join with our colleagues at the SIA in urging licensees to be certain that they are operating within the law when employing door stewards for their own, their customers, and the public's benefit."

Licensees are urged to check that their security suppliers operate within the law. SIA licences can be checked through the Register of Licence Holders on our website. You can also check the validity of a licence by calling 0844 892 1025 and selecting option 1 (you will need to enter the 16-digit licence number in order to check a licence in this way).

Notes to Editors:

• It is an offence to work as a door supervisor (in house and contract) in Great Britain without an SIA licence. A Door Supervisor licence is required if manned guarding activities are undertaken in relation to licensed premises.
• The maximum penalty for committing an offence such as working without a licence or employing unlicensed staff is six months' imprisonment and/or fine up to £5,000 (or trial on indictment to crown court, whereby an unlimited find and/or five years' imprisonment could be imposed.