24 January 2008: On Monday 21 January, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) held a joint seminar to inform security companies on the latest issues surrounding illegal workers in the security industry and to encourage best practice.

Presentations were given by the SIA, Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) and two security guarding companies gave case studies of their experiences in checking the right to work status of their employees.

Andy Drane, Director of Operations said:

"We wanted to ensure that security employers were well-informed about the illegal worker situation and it was good to hear about companies addressing the problem effectively.

With security employers fulfilling their responsibility through the use of best practice and the increasing rigour of the SIA licensing procedures, between us we can significantly reduce the risk of illegal migrant working in the security industry."

Notes to Editors:

• Register of licence holders, register of revoked licences, reporting illegal activity: www.the-sia.org.uk
• Border and Immigration Agency: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk (features the booklet Comprehensive Guidance for United Kingdom Employers on Changes to the Law on Preventing Illegal Working)
• Home Office micro-site about checking the right to work: www.employingmigrantworkers.org.uk
• From next month, employers can be fined up to £10,000 for every illegal worker they negligently hire or could face up to two years in prison.