25th October 2007
SIA & Security Institute Intern Posts
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) and The Security Institute are looking for two interns from the private security industry, to work at the SIA supporting development managers.
The interns will each work on two specific projects:
Stakeholder Engagement Strategy – providing research and project support to the project manager responsible for delivering the SIA research plan and implementing the SIA Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
Northern Ireland – providing research and project support to the project manager responsible for scoping the work to introduce licensing through the SIA in Northern Ireland and prepare a business case for the delivery.
The closing date for both posts is 5pm Friday 30 November.
Interns will be based at the SIA’s London office for a minimum of six months.
The Security Institute will recruit, screen and recommend applicants for the internship and the SIA will select suitable candidates for the programme.
The process of recruitment and selection will be conducted by The Security Institute.
17th October 2007
SIA Close Protection Operation a Success
During the summer, the first round of a Security Industry Authority (SIA) operation focussing on business related close protection compliance took place, when SIA investigators visited the annual general meetings of high profile FTSE 100 companies.
SIA licensing for close protection operatives became law in England and Wales on 20 March 2006 but the covert nature of close protection work makes it difficult to determine obvious levels of compliance.
Of the 109 close protection operatives checked throughout the operation, all but 4 were found to be compliant within the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and held a valid SIA Close Protection licence.
Poppy Saunders, an SIA Head of Investigation said:
"I am pleased to see the great majority of close protection operatives checked at these events were correctly licensed.
The high rate of compliance demonstrated during this operation shows the recognition and value of an SIA licence in this demanding and important sector."
Where breaches of the law were found, SIA investigators took action under Section 3 and Section 5 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
To date over 3,108 individuals hold valid Close Protection SIA licences.
10th October 2007
Postal Strike and SIA Licensing
The ongoing industrial action by postal workers means that individuals may have been granted an SIA licence but are yet to receive it. An individual is licensed when they appear on our Register of Licence Holders.. If you are expecting an imminent licence decision please check the register to see if your licence has been granted.
It is a condition of SIA licensing that a front line licence holder must openly display their licence when working, unless they have reported it lost or stolen, or it is in our possession. In this particular instance, granted licences delayed by the postal strike may be considered to be in our possession, and under the circumstances we are likely to apply this interpretation.
Please note: the postal strike may also delay other stages of our licensing process (for example: receiving applications or returning documents). The progress of your licence application can be viewed via our online status checker.
8th October 2007
SIA Licensing Countdown for Scotland
Are you ready?
It is now less than four weeks until Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensing extends to Scotland. From 1 November, it will be illegal to work in certain designated sectors in the private security industry without an SIA licence.
The 1 November will see one set of SIA licences across the whole of Great Britain - Scotland, England and Wales. The GB-wide SIA licences are recognised as a portable symbol that the individual is trained, qualified and fit and proper for their role.
To date, over 238,000 people are licensed to work in the regulated security industry throughout Great Britain and there are 388 companies recognised as SIA Approved Contractors throughout Great Britain. Andy Drane, Deputy Chief Executive of the SIA said:
"We have been communicating with the industry in Scotland for over two years about SIA licensing and I am pleased with how proactive Scottish operators have been as we move towards 1 November. Thousands of employees, supervisors, managers and directors already hold an SIA licence, which demonstrates their commitment to working in a professional industry.
Regulation will prevent unsuitable people from obtaining positions of trust in the private security industry. Legitimate businesses will benefit as improving standards will drive out the small minority of companies who are tarnishing the sector by using the security industry as a front for illegal activities.
From 1 November 2007, the licensable sectors in Scotland are: Door Supervisor (in-house & contact), Security Guard (contractors), Cash & Valuables in Transit (contractors), Public Space Surveillance CCTV (contractors), Close Protection (contractors), Key Holders (contractors).
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24th September 2007
SIA and Security Institute Announce Intern Programme
Joint SIA and Security Institute Initiative
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) and The Security Institute are pleased to offer development opportunities to three interns from the private security industry, to each work on three specific projects at the SIA.
Interns will be based at the SIA's London office for a minimum of six months and will support development managers; working on implementing the EU Directive on Recognition of Professional Qualifications, scoping the introduction of SIA licensing to Northern Ireland, and delivery of the SIA's Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
The programme will enhance the understanding of professional security issues between the SIA and the broad community of security professionals.
The Security Institute will recruit, screen and recommend applicants for the internship and the SIA will select suitable candidates for the programme.
It is anticipated that the first intern may start as early as November 2007.
Ruth Henig, Chairman of the SIA, said:
"This internship is a great opportunity for someone already working in the private security industry to focus their skills and experience on topical issues within the SIA. It will also enhance the communication between the security industry and the SIA.
We welcome applicants from all security professions and we are looking forward to working collaboratively with The Security Institute to recruit the best candidates."
Bill Wyllie, Chairman of The Security Institute, said:
"We warmly welcome this tremendous initiative, which will enable us all to play a part in taking forward the work of regulation. The Security Institute will work closely with the SIA to develop first class candidates for the role and I am confident that those involved in the business of security will lend their active and practical support to the scheme."
The process of recruitment and selection will be conducted by The Security Institute.
Job description details, closing dates and application forms can be found on the Security Institute website.
13th September 2007
£400,000 Unclaimed by Security Operatives
Thousands Yet to Claim SIA Licence Fee Refund
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is urging thousands of SIA licence holders to claim back their share of over £400,000 waiting to be returned to them in licence fee refunds.
Operatives holding more than one valid SIA licence can claim a 50% refund on their second or subsequent licences - that's a refund of £122.50 for each additional licence granted*.
Thousands of operatives have obtained two or more licences but have failed to claim back a refund on the full £245 licence application fee. The SIA is advising licence holders to act now and make a claim.
To claim applicants should:
- Hold more than one valid SIA licence
- Hold a full price licence that has more than four months left to run
- Write to the SIA with their full name, address, phone number and licence numbers.
If a claimant applied for their licences through a company Bulk Application System then the company needs to apply for the refund.
Applicants holding licences obtained at the old application fee of £190 may be entitled to a refund of £95.
We aim to process licence refunds within 28 days of receipt of the claim.
Applicants should write to:
Finance Department (Licence Refunds)
Security Industry Authority
PO Box 49768
London
WC1V 6WY
*Conditions apply for holders of Vehicle Immobiliser licences. Please go here for further information.
11th September 2007
Scottish Security Directors Visited by SIA
Investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) visited a number of Scottish security directors and managers to forewarn them that they could face severe penalties if they deploy unlicensed staff after the 1 November licensing date.
The 20 security companies are considered by the SIA to be at 'high risk' of not being in a position to be able to supply sufficient licensed security staff after 1 November.
Senior employees of the companies were asked to read and sign a compliance notice acknowledging that they understood the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA 2001), their obligations under the Act, and the consequences of not complying with the law.
Jennifer Pattinson, SIA Head of Investigation for Scotland said:
"The security directors we visited cannot claim ignorance over their legal obligations under the PSIA 2001. Security companies have been aware that SIA licensing is coming to Scotland for some time but I am concerned that, with just over seven weeks before the offence date, there are still companies who are not adequately prepared."
4th September 2007
Scottish Security Directors Visited by SIA
'High risk' Companies Sign Compliance Declaration
Last week, investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) visited a number of Scottish security directors and managers to forewarn them that they could face severe penalties if they deploy unlicensed staff after the 1 November licensing date.
The 20 security companies are considered by the SIA to be at 'high risk' of not being in a position to be able to supply sufficient licensed security staff after 1 November.
Senior employees of the companies were asked to read and sign a compliance notice acknowledging that they understood the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA 2001), their obligations under the Act, and the consequences of not complying with the law.
Jennifer Pattinson, SIA Head of Investigation for Scotland said:
"The security directors we visited cannot claim ignorance over their legal obligations under the PSIA 2001. Security companies have been aware that SIA licensing is coming to Scotland for some time but I am concerned that, with just over seven weeks before the offence date, there are still companies who are not adequately prepared."
