Ignoring Warnings Leads to Revocation

25 June 2008:A Manchester man who ran a security company is the first director to have his licence revoked by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) based on non-conviction information.

The company director, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had received warnings from the SIA for deploying unlicensed security operatives and failing to respond to requests made under Section 19 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 – Powers of entry and inspection.

Rachael White, an SIA Head of Investigation, said:

"We always maintain a fair and just approach to enforcement and work closely with companies and their employee to help them work within the law. In this case, the director made no attempt to comply, and by working against us, led to his SIA licence being revoked. We hope this sends a strong message to other non-compliant company directors."

Notes to Editors:

A licence will be revoked if:

• The licence holder is not the person to whom the named licence should have been issued.
• The licence holder does not have the training qualifications that were claimed on application.
• The licence holder receives a conviction, caution or warning for a relevant offence.
• The licence holder loses, or did not have when they applied, the right to remain or work in the UK.

A licence may also be revoked if:

• The licence holder breaks the conditions on which their licence was issued.
• We receive non-conviction information suggesting that there is a case for having the licence withdrawn.
• The licence holder becomes subject to detention because of mental disorder.

Section 19 of the Act refers to Powers of Entry and Inspection

• Persons authorised by the SIA may enter premises owned or occupied by a regulated person other than premises occupied exclusively for residential purposes as a private dwelling.
• Regulated persons are required to produce documents or information in connection with matters that are subject to regulation under the Act (i.e. licensable conduct, the provision of security services, and any conditions attaching to approved contractor status under a compulsory scheme).
• Persons exercising powers of entry may do so only at reasonable times and must satisfy certain requirements under the Act, such as providing evidence of their identity and authorisation.
• It is made an offence for a regulated person to fail to comply with the provisions in section 19.

The SIA always takes a fair and proportionate approach to enforcement action and will take into account the progress an individual has made towards getting or renewing a licence e.g. training completed, licence application submitted. However, the SIA expects security companies and individuals to comply with the law. Further information can be found on the Enforcement pages of the SIA website.