From November 15, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is issuing licence application packs for key holders – the latest sector to be licensed under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA).
On March 20, it will be a legal requirement for all contract key holders – and contract security officers and public space contract CCTV operators – in England and Wales to hold an SIA licence. As with those ther security sector licences, the licence application fee is £190 for a three-year licence. The licence application process usually takes around six weeks, the SIA admits. Those supplying key holding services will need an SIA licence if they have custody of, or control access to, any key or a similar device for operating a lock, the authority reports.
There is no competency requirement for key-holders, the authority adds. This is, the SIA says, because the PSIA defines key holding solely as holding keys and does not include activities relating to a security response. A holder of any SIA front-line or non front-line licence is automatically covered to carry out key holding activities without applying for a separate key holder licence. The activities associated with response cover many of the activities licensable as a security guard. If a key holder also carries out response activities, they will therefore need a Security licence and should take a training course leading to the new security guarding qualification.
Get a pack
Licence application packs can be obtained from the SIA call centre on 0870 2430 100 or from the SIA website.
