Success Of Sia Licensing In N. Ireland 1 Year On

[james.wilson]

SIA licensing, introduced 1 December, 2009, has now been in place in Northern Ireland for one year. In the past 12 months, 9163 licences have been issued to individuals living in the country; and there are 51 Approved Contractor Scheme companies based or operating in Northern Ireland.

During the past year, SIA investigators have conducted operations throughout the country, conducting targeted checks of more than 300 security operatives. The most recent SIA inspections reveal current high compliance of 99.5% in Northern Ireland.

Chief executive Bill Butler said:

“The level of compliance we have seen in just the first year of licensing demonstrates that the security industry in Northern Ireland has recognised the value of SIA regulation, and that operatives and companies have worked hard to ensure that they meet the legal requirements.

“It is also very encouraging to see so many ACS companies operating in Northern Ireland, as well as the high number of licences issued to individuals.”

Notes to Editors:

• SIA licensing was introduced into Northern Ireland on 1 December, 2009 (April 2010 for in-house door supervisors). This followed the introduction of licensing into Scotland in 2007, and a phased introduction across England and Wales from 2004.
• It is an offence throughout the United Kingdom to work in the following private security roles without an SIA licence:
  • Cash and Valuables in Transit (under contract)
  • Close Protection (under contract)
  • Door Supervision (in house and under contract)
  • Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) (under contract)
  • Security Guard (under contract)
  • Key Holding (under contract)
  • Immobilisation, restriction and removal of vehicles (in house and under contract (except in Scotland)

  [*]The Security Industry Authority regulates the private security industry in the United Kingdom under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, reporting to the Home Secretary. Its main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme approving private security suppliers.[*]We are committed to the Regulators' Compliance Code, a statutory code of practice for regulators that promotes a risk-based, proportionate and targeted approach.[*]For further information about the Security Industry Authority visit our website, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/about-news.aspx?newsid=248