The Security Industry Authority (SIA) reports checks on door staff in Lincolnshire.
On Friday, April 18, investigators from the SIA were joined by officers from Lincolnshire Police to carry out checks on door supervisors working at licensed premises in Grantham, Spalding and Stamford.
During what the regulator terms an intelligence led operation:
22 licensed premises were visited
44 door supervisors were checked
33 held valid SIA licences
11 unlicensed operatives were identified
Five individuals were reported for possible prosecution under Section 3 of the Private Security Act 2001 (working without a licence)
and six individuals were warned for Section 3 offences
Three individuals were warned for offences under Section 9 (non display of licence)
The SIA adds that it always takes a fair and proportionate approach to enforcement action and will take into account the progress an individual has made towards getting or renewing a licence such as training completed, licence application submitted. But the SIA expects security companies and individuals to comply with the law.
Jacqueline Parker, an SIA Head of Investigation said: "We would like to thank our partners at Lincolnshire Police for working with us as part of this ongoing operational activity within Lincolnshire area. Whilst the majority were compliant, it was disappointing to find some individuals flouting the law and making no attempt to comply at all. Door supervisors, working without an SIA licence, and those deploying them, are committing an offence. To maintain public safety, it is vital that door staff are trained, qualified and SIA licensed. We and our police partners will continue to deliver that message."
The SIA adds that it is an offence to work as a door supervisor (in house and contract) in Great Britain without an SIA licence. A Door Supervisor licence is required if manned guarding activities are undertaken in relation to licensed premises. More than half of the licensable population work for an SIA approved contractor. This means, security companies can be given authorisation to deploy a certain percentage of their security staff while their licence applications are being processed. This is in the form of an SIA Licence Dispensation Notice (LDN).
