Security Industry Authority UK News

Key topics and challenges affecting the security systems and guarding sectors were addressed at this year’s NSI-sponsored Thought Leadership Summit, held at the Royal Lancaster London. Delegates from across the industry engaged with a lively, informative and thought provoking programme, organised by the Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs). A cross-section of security industry end users, service providers, sector organisations and regulatory bodies attended the third annual UK...

The Private Security Industry Act of 2001 gives the Security Industry Authority (SIA) the function of setting standards of conduct in the United Kingdom’s private security industry. Time is winding down to provide input during the SIA’s six-week consultation on a new draft code of conduct for SIA licence holders and applicants for SIA licences. The authority is inviting the industry, licence holders, and anyone with an interest in private security to have their say on the draft code...

Magenta Security MD Abbey Petkar met with SIA Chief Executive Ian Todd and Tony Holyland (SIA Head of Quality & Standards) at Magenta HQ last month to discuss concerns about the lack of business licences in the security industry. They also considered other topics focused on making the security industry more professional and more robust in the face of unscrupulous players in the market. This included how the ACS could be made more available to 80% of the industry, which represents approximate...

Limitless Security, a provider of security solutions for the housebuilding and construction industries, has launched the VIDAR detector. This standalone, wire-free security system combines motion detection with integrated image verification to help reduce the cost of break-ins, theft and vandalism. VIDAR is a key part of Limitless Security’s new fixed cost, fully managed service which takes away the headaches and hassles involved in installing, managing and maintaining security equipment o...

A combination of uncertainty over Brexit negotiations and recent cut backs in other areas of police funding has highlighted an opportunity for the private security industry to support public services. “Brexit is putting an incredible strain on resources of all types across the UK, including the police force, who are preparing contingencies for a host of challenges ahead of March 29. When combined with the selling off of police assets and the reduction in officers on the street, it makes l...

Elizabeth France CBE, Security Industry Authority Chair, announces the appointment of Ian Todd as SIA Chief Executive. Ian succeeds Dave Humphries who has been interim CEO since the departure of former SIA CEO Alan Clamp at the end of October. Ian will join the SIA on 25 February 2019. Ian will be joining the SIA from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) where he is currently Deputy Director General. This builds on a number of board level roles in professional regulation, including...

The Security Industry Authority's (SIA) South East Partnerships and Interventions team and Thames Valley Police will be calling at Reading's top student pubs and clubs. They will share best-practice guidance on safer physical intervention for door supervisors as a reminder of how to keep their clients and themselves safe. The aims of the event are to promote the importance of safer restraint and reduce any possible violence during the festive season. The initiative marks the Reading launch of a...

The Security Industry Authority (SIA), the government regulator of the private security industry in the UK, has formerly endorsed the Register of Chartered Security Professionals. The Register was established under Royal Charter issued to the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals in the UK.  Admission to the Register signifies the highest standards and ongoing proficiency in security practice.  Alan Clamp, Chief Executive of the SIA said: “The Register of Chartered Securi...

External assessing body CCAS carried out a combined annual assessment of Ward Security during February 2017 National security firm Ward Security has achieved its highest ever score of 171 out of 174 in an independent audit conducted on behalf of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) - the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK as part of its Approved Contractor Score (ACS) scheme. Ward Security transitions Ward Security has also succ...

BSIA will be given the opportunity to test and comment on the findings of the SIA review before publication The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has accepted an invitation by the Home Office to become a member of the Challenge Group that will help to steer the direction of the review of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) commencing in January 2016. Security Industry Authority review The SIA’s review was launched via a Written Ministerial Statement (W...

Baroness Henig was awarded a CBE for services to policing in 2000 The Security Institute has started 2016 by announcing a new President. Succeeding Lord Alex Carlile at the head of the organisation from the 2016 AGM in April is former Security Industry Authority Chair, Baroness Ruth Henig. Whilst at the SIA Baroness Henig was instrumental in overseeing a regulatory overhaul and the introduction of a new and modern, fit-for-purpose regulatory regime. Previous high profile role...

The changes take into account introduction of CCTV Code of Practice issued by SCC as required by Freedoms of Information Act 2012 BSI, the business standards company, revised BS 7958:2015 Closed circuit television (CCTV) – Management and operation – Code of practice. The changes take into account the introduction of the CCTV Code of Practice issued by the Surveillance Camera Commissioner (SCC) as required by the Freedoms of Information Act 2012. Closed circuit tel...

The move sees two more companies move towards the integrated facilities management model CE Facilities Services has announced further expansion with the purchase of the UK division of Octavian Security. The move sees two more companies move towards the integrated Facilities Management model, which is becoming ever more popular with UK businesses. The deal sees CE Facilities Services purchase Octavian Security UK only, with the next phase seeing Octavian Security UK absorbed i...

Company has passed two quality audits with further improved scores & zero improvement needs Security specialist Pilgrims Group Limited has officially been ranked in the top 5% of all the UK’s 800 security companies, having passed two quality audits with further improved scores and zero improvement needs. Pilgrims beat its previous score with the Security Industry Authority (SIA)’s Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) as well as passing the International Organi...

The Police and Security Community Network, an online hub for information sharing will also be on display at the BSIA stand The Police and Security Group Initiative (PaS) is recently published the conclusions from its consultation conducted earlier this year. The consultation’s aims were to identify the Capabilities of the Private Security Industry that would be interested in working better with the Metropolitan Police; the effectiveness of existing structures; and the ke...

At the meeting IPSA made several new appointments The International Professional Security Association (IPSA) held its 2015 Annual General Meeting this week at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, London. The occasion marked the completion of Mike White’s four years as Chairman of the Association and included the election of the Association’s International Council, who appointed Mr Stuart Naisbett as the new Chairman. IPSA made appointments Stuart Na...

Magenta Security MD Abbey Petkar believes it will be many more months before the legislation is bought into force A leading Hounslow based security provider has expressed its disappointment over the lack of progression with the introduction of the SIA Business Licences. Particularly its absence from the Queen’s Speech. Abbey Petkar, Managing Director of Magenta Security Services, believes it will be many more months before the legislation is bought into force due to the...

A BBC report Monday alleges instances when Security Industry Authority (SIA) licences were fraudulently obtained, prompting questions about licencing processes and whether unqualified candidates are being "fast-tracked" and provided SIA cards without taking the required hours of training and passing exams. Following is a statement provided to SourceSecurity.com by Robert Buxton, head of communications, Security Industry Authority, about the matter: SIA assures investigation over...

Mario Garcia, MD PTTC The Training Company, will be discussing recent SIA cards scandal on the BBC Inside Out programme A leading security training company based in London has spoken out about corrupt practices in the industry in a BBC Inside Out programme due to be aired on Monday 23rd March. After a recent scandal which has seen untrained students able to gain Security Industry Authority (SIA) cards without even sitting an exam, PTTC The Training Company, is attempting to sh...

These training programmes are revised to meet the new learning outcomes and assessment criteria A new suite of security qualifications specific to Scotland has been launched by Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance ("HABC") for learners hoping to become licensed security operatives. The introduction of the new qualifications comes after one of the largest ever reviews into learning in the sector by the Security Industry Authority (SIA), followed by the introduction of si...

A new range of learning resources has been launched by Highfield.co.uk to help educators and learners with recently updated security qualifications. The new qualifications were launched after a review into learning in the sector in 2014 by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) which affected licence-linked security units, and resulted in qualifications containing these being withdrawn and replaced with immediate effect on 1 January 2015. The materials – which have been written by securit...

As Human Resources Director, Valerie Dale will be responsible for the overall HR Strategy for the Company Securitas has announced the appointment of a new Human Resources Director who will support the business to achieve its strategy of growth and commercial success. Valerie Dale joins the security firm from G4S Secure Solutions (UK) Ltd and brings over 20 years’ HR experience to the role, 14 of which have been in HR management positions. A Fellow Member of the Cha...

The Secure Identity Alliance will identify the $50bn savings opportunity government are set to enjoy through On 19th & 20th March 2014 at the Connect:ID conference in Washington and the Cartes Asia conference in Hong Kong, The Secure Identity Alliance will identify the $50bn savings opportunity government are set to enjoy through the implementation of secure eServices by 2020. The report also investigates the wider social and economic benefits of this shift to digital: f...

This new accreditation recognises the reliability of Octavian’s services and its capacity to deliver consistently Octavian Security has added yet another string to its bow, after becoming accredited as a top supplier to the utilities sector. The company was audited by Achilles Information for entry into its UVDB Verify Scheme – which represents the utilities industry – for its standards of practice, capacity to deliver, risk management and compliance wit...

Geoff's experience will be invaluable as SIA moves towards introduction of licensing for security businesses Geoff Zeidler has joined the Security Industry Authority as a non-executive Board member with private security industry experience. As a Board member Geoff will work closely with interim Chairman Bill Matthews and the other Board members to contribute to the overall strategic direction of the SIA and to ensure the SIA carries out its duties effectively and to the highe...

Scotland’s Minister of Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Fergus Ewing officially opened the event Delegates from all business backgrounds based in Scotland enjoyed a successful and informative conference and exhibition last week, hosted by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on 26th November 2013. Supported by Scottish Enterprise, the Scotland: Secure for Business event welcomed over 175 delegates, with 20 exhibitors on hand...

The event provides Scottish-based businesses with information, advice and guidance on the latest security issues Following the success of last year’s Scotland: Secure for Business event, the conference and exhibition will be returning to the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh again this year on Tuesday 26th November. The free-to-attend event, organised by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) and supported by Scottish Enterprise, provides Scottish-based busines...

BSIA’s James Kelly expressed the private security industry’s frustration with delays in the implementation of the new regime In a letter to Government Ministers, the Security Regulation Alliance has called for unanimous support of the proposed new regulatory regime for the private security industry, and urged them to consider the benefits of security regulation against the backdrop of the Government’s wider deregulatory agenda. Writing to the Minister for Bu...

BSIA’s James Kelly raised awareness about issues and challenges currently facing the UK’s private security industry As this year’s party conference season draws to a close, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is reflecting on a number of successful discussions with MPs, think tanks and Police and Crime Commissioners, which saw the issues of police reform, regulatory change and the CCTV Code of Practice at the forefront of the agenda. Attending b...

The BSIA will be engaging with politicians on a wider scale regarding this issue later this year Calls for clarity from the Home Office on the timing of regulatory change for the private security industry have been issued by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), following last week’s announcement that the regulation of private investigators is to be introduced as early as 2014. James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA – the trade body representing...