Men have gone before Liverpool magistrates charged with Private Security Industry Act 2001 offences.
In court on January 9, seven pleaded guilty to offences under Section 3 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (that is, engaging in licensable conduct without an SIA licence). They were fined between £50 and £75, or had a conditional discharge. All were ordered to pay costs. Some 14 cases were adjourned, including some who did not respond to court summons. It is part of Operation Seahog, a Merseyside Police-led multi-agency initiative, including the Security Industry Authority. More prosecutions may follow, the SIA adds.
What they say
Lucia Howland, an SIA Head of Investigation said: “These first results demonstrate that Operation Seahog is beginning to have an effect on the unlicensed sectors of the private security industry in Merseyside. This is just the start of a long-term initiative to ensure that the rogue element is removed from Merseyside’s security industry and the SIA will continue to work closely with our partners in the police to ensure compliance with the law. With the huge opportunities for businesses in Merseyside leading up to Liverpool City of Culture in 2008, we, and the police, want to ensure that only legitimate and compliant security companies benefit from the lucrative security contracts.”
