The SIA expects compliance with the law at all times.

We want all of the private security industry to be compliant with the law. We have a range of sanctions for non-compliance available to us including (but not limited to) prosecution. As we say in our published 'Enforcement Policy Code of Practice' (download size: 666kb), prosecution is not our preferred option but we will prosecute when we think it is justified.

We may take some or all of the following factors into account when deciding what action to take:

• The time elapsed since the activity became licensable.
• The progress an individual has made towards getting or renewing a licence e.g. training completed, licence application submitted.
• Whether an individual already holds a licence for another licensable sector.
• The progress a company has made towards getting its workforce licensed e.g. proportion of staff licensed, proportion of staff trained and proportion of staff who have submitted a licence application.
• The current licensing processing time and the size of any build-up of applications being held by the SIA.
• The availability of training to achieve the qualification for licensing.
• Previous encounters with or warnings given by the SIA or other agency.
• Where there are circumstances in which the Government has indicated a firm intention to exempt or exclude from licensing.
• Any other factor that we think is relevant in the circumstances.

The weight given to each and any of these factors will be dependent on all the circumstances of the particular case.

Companies and individuals should be aware that:

• They remain liable to prosecution for any offence committed.
• Insurance cover of both the security supplier and the security customer could be compromised if unlicensed operatives are being used.
• Non-compliance with the licensing requirements could jeopardise a future application for a licence or accreditation under the Approved Contractor Scheme.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) support our approach to enforcement: both organisations have incorporated it into their advice to the police forces of England, Scotland and Wales.