15th February 2008
Free Security Guard Training
Free Security Industry Authority (SIA) approved training in security guarding is being offered at Lambeth College to people interested in working in the private security industry.
Lambeth College offers the NOCN Level 2 Award in Security Guarding which provides the core competency skills to enable manned guarding.
Lambeth College offers the NOCN Level 2 Award in Security Guarding which provides the core competency skills to enable students to progress in manned guarding. This qualification can be used in support of an SIA security guard licence.
The College is encouraging door supervisors to consider enhancing their security skills by attending the course.
For further details or to enrol call 020 7501 5363/5578 or email stproject@lambethcollege.ac.uk.
- Places are subject to eligibility. Students must be UK or EEA passport holders or have lived in the UK for at least the last 3 years with no restrictions on their right to remain in the country.
- A fee of £40 will be charged to cover the exam fee and registration.
15th February 2008
SIA Launches New Company Licence Checker
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has launched a new online licence checker for companies.
The Company Licence Checker (CLC) is linked to the SIA’s public Register of Licence Holders. The CLC allows employers to create lists of licence holders who work for their company and to check the status of those licences
quickly and easily in real time. Previously, employers were only able to search and check one licence at a time.
The new facility instantly highlights any employees' licences that have been suspended or revoked.
The SIA is encouraging security companies to register and obtain a User ID and password and to start using this facility.
Companies that have already registered with the SIA (as company users) can use their existing user ID and password to start taking advantage of this service.
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Unregistered company users can register for the service by emailing details to companysponsors@the-sia.org.uk or calling the contact centre on 0844 892 0925. This number can only be used for bulk applications and company registrations.
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SIA licences can be checked through the Register of Licence Holders, available 24-hours on the SIA website.
4th February 2008
SIA Checks Door Staff in Glasgow
Last week, Investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and licensing officers from Strathclyde Police carried out checks at pubs, clubs and other licensed venues in Glasgow's city centre.
10 licensed premises were visited and 16 door supervisors were checked.
Eight people held valid SIA Door Supervisor licences and eight individuals were warned for offences of working without a SIA licence.
Action against licensees and security directors suspected of deploying unlicensed staff may follow.
Jennifer Pattinson, an SIA Head of Investigation said:
"Half of the door staff checked were flouting the law and putting the public at risk by working illegally.
Door supervisors, working without an SIA licence, and those deploying them, are committing an offence. Licensees risk having their premises closed.
We reminded licensees of their legal obligations when employing their own staff or using contracted door staff. We also urge other licensees to check that their security suppliers operate within the law.
We would like to thank our partners at Strathclyde Police for working with us as part of this ongoing operational activity within the area. They, like us only want to see trained, professional and SIA licensed door staff working in positions of trust."
Superintendent John Farrell from Strathclyde Police said:
"Six of the eight door staff warned had made steps towards becoming compliant with the law.
Licensees could find their licence at risk if they fail to ensure they have SIA licensed door staff working on their doors.
Strathclyde Police will continue to work with the SIA to ensure compliance with the law and further joint operations will be taking place in the force area."
3rd February 2008
Licence Processing Times
It is currently taking 6 to 9 weeks for us to process licence applications. This is because of the recent implementation of new systems at the SIA and the residual effect of local industrial action by postal workers in Liverpool.
A small number of applications are being affected to a greater degree: this mainly applies to applications received in November 2007. Some licence renewals have been delayed; however, most renewals will be unaffected provided licence holders re-apply in good time as advised.
No-one can be given permission to work without a licence. However, our enforcement approach lists certain factors that can be taken into account by enforcing authorities if they encounter unlicensed operatives. These factors include the efforts made by someone to obtain a licence and current SIA processing times. The police and other authorities have clear procedures for verifying applicant information with the SIA, and our application status checker provides an easy way of checking whether an application has been received
SIA News Archive - February 2008
SIA News Archive - January 2008
SIA News Archive - December 2007
SIA News Archive - November 2007
SIA News Archive - October/September 2007
