The offences we consider relevant to licensing are listed at the back of our Get Licensed booklet from page 61 onwards. Relevant offences include those involving:

• Violent/abusive behaviour
• Espionage/terrorism
• Offensive weapons
• Firearms
• Dishonesty (theft and fraud)
• Proceeds of crime
• Abuse and neglect of children
• Sexual offences
• Drugs
• Criminal damage
• Social security offences
• Private Security Industry Act offences
• Licensing Act offences
• Some driving offences

If your conviction was for a statutory offence named in the list, but at the time of your conviction it was an offence at common law, or was defined in an earlier or later Act, we will regard it in the same way as the listed offences. Also note that in some cases, the offence listed may cover several offences within the same category. If your offence is not in the list and cannot be regarded or interpreted in the same or similar way as a listed relevant offence, then we will not take it into account when making a decision on your licence application.

If the offence(s) for which you were convicted is not explicitly listed but still falls under the same section of the relevant identified Act, we will take it into account.

A history of an offence or offences of dishonesty is considered to be relevant in relation to the role of a security operative since the role frequently involves the exercise of checks and searches, and there should be no concerns about the honesty of the security operative. Likewise a history of an offence or offences of a violent nature suggests that an individual will not be able to exercise proper restraint in pressurised situations. This applies whether the offence was committed while working in the role or whilst off duty, however offences committed while working in the role will be considered more carefully. These examples are not exhaustive.

In considering the circumstances of your case we will give you credit if you do not have a pattern of offending. Also we will give you credit for every year you are clear from criminal activity (beyond the minimum 12 months). We assess this period from the day after the last caution, warning, absolute/conditional discharge admonishment, or from the expiry of the sentence or penalty.

Assessment of seriousness >>