The Importance of SIA Training in London and UK

There have been a number of incidents recently of security staff found working unlicensed in the pubs and clubs of UK cities. Although these incidences have proven to be largely isolated – with the two most recent in Welshpool and Aberdeen coming amid a range of organisations coming up clean in spot checks – it is important to take notice that people are still working illegally in the industry, and that there will be a number of others out there either working unlicensed, seeking work without getting a license first, or working under false or forged documentation. It is therefore worth making the point again that all security staff employed in the United Kingdom must be licensed by the SIA before they do even a minute of paid security work.   The Grampian Police ran an operation last month in Aberdeen in conjunction with the SIA and the relevant government agencies, visiting 35 different premises in order to engage with Dorr Supervisors in the city’s licensed premises. This was with the intention of ensuring compliance with the Private Security Act of 2001, in which it is stated that security staff working in the industry must be licensed for the work that they are carrying out. Amid the 35 visits made by the Grampian Police, there were five offences committed under the Act. Although the vast majority of pubs and clubs visited passed the tests with flying colours, there was concern voiced by the SIA and by Grampian Police that [...]

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