Security Industry Authority UK News

The Minister for Safeguarding and the Minister for Security have both agreed to the appointment of two new non-executive directors to the Board of the SIA. Hannah Wadey and Stephen Grainger were appointed to the Authority from 24 March 2025.  Hannah Wadey is the CEO of the Safer Business Network. She has 20 years’ experience in community safety, security, and crime prevention. Hannah has a proven track record of delivering strategic change in public safety an...

Security Industry Authority brought together senior pioneers from the 30 largest private security businesses to discuss labour exploitation. This summit followed a similar event in December 2024, at which the 20 largest businesses were represented. These events form part of Operation EMPOWER, which is the SIA’s response to labour exploitation. EMPOWER involves a dedicated multi-disciplinary team that includes intelligence specialists and criminal investigators working closely with HM...

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) welcomed the news that the SIA is to come under the portfolio of the Minister of State for Security, Dan Jarvis, in the Home Office. In a joint statement issued now, Heather Baily, Chair of the SIA and Michelle Russell, Chief Executive of the SIA, said: "We very much welcome this move as it ensures that both functions of the SIA, which include the existing regulation of the private security industry and the new Martyn’s Law regulator function, complem...

The Security Skills Board, a committee of senior security industry pioneers, brought together over 60 industry professionals at The Shard to present the next steps in their mission to support skills development and ambitions for security to be a profession of choice. The Board, now a Community Interest Company (CIC) includes Chair Jason Towse, and Deputy Chair Adrian White of Carlile Support Services. They shared proposals to launch a Security National Skills Academy and as part of this, devel...

On 10 December, the Security Industry Authority demonstrated its commitment to tackling labour exploitation by inviting senior pioneers from the twenty largest private security businesses to a special summit.  The event forms part of Operation EMPOWER, which is the SIA’s response to labour exploitation. EMPOWER involves a dedicated multi-disciplinary team that includes intelligence specialists and criminal investigators. Unfairness and distortion  Paul Fullwood&...

A man has been jailed for almost three years after he used a fake Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence to work at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and commit theft. £1425 cash theft Daniel Carter, who has a criminal history of fraud and deception, used his position as a security supervisor to steal £1425 cash from the hospital. The SIA worked closely with Leicestershire Police to investigate Carter, who had never held an SIA licence, despite being employed as a security supe...

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has launched its winter safety campaign, urging people to ‘Stay Safe, Tell Security’. The initiative is aimed at fostering public awareness of shared responsibilities in keeping public spaces safe. Importance of teamwork The online campaign emphasises the importance of teamwork in public safety, encouraging the public, security professionals, and businesses to collaborate by staying vigilant and reporting anything unusual to licenced security...

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) mounted a series of coordinated, surprise operations across England to tackle suspected security licence fraud, labour exploitation and immigration offences. SIA investigators launched the day of action on 31 October in partnership with Home Office Immigration Enforcement targeting 11 locations spanning the length and breadth of the country. Section 22 of PSIA Two people were arrested by Home Office Immigration Enforcement (HOIE) officers for ov...

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) – the UK’s private security industry regulator is encouraging everyone to show their appreciation to security operatives on International Security Officers’ Day, which takes place annually on 24 July. This follows a reception at the House of Lords (22 July 2024) to mark 20 years of SIA licencing. The anniversary event was sponsored by Baroness Meacher, the first Chair of the SIA. Public security and safety The event was attended by SIA f...

Security Industry Authority announced the award of £72,000 from its grant for good causes fund to seven registered charities and community interest companies across the UK. This brings the total grants awarded by the SIA using cash confiscated from criminals to over £250,000. Through this fund, the UK’s private security industry regulator distributes money recovered through proceeds of crime confiscation orders. Grants are used to benefit the private security industry and impr...

On 22 February 2024, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) launched a public consultation on the key principles that will underpin its business approval scheme going forward.  The changes under consideration will signal a significant shift in the way the SIA approves businesses under this scheme. It will also change how standards are defined for security businesses, ensuring public protection is at the heart of the new scheme.  Redefining standards During the past year (20...

Family-run security firm, CDX Security Group recently landed a spot in the top three percent of UK security firms, following a successful audit from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Selection criteria  The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS), commissioned by the SIA, aims to protect the public and employees within the security industry through a framework that sets, improves, and monitors operating standards. Firms are marked against seven criteria and must consistently demonstrate exc...

North West-based security firm, CDX Security has announced the launch of a new division, ‘CDX Aviation’, in response to soaring demand for airport security services. The firm, which already has significant experience operating within regional airports, has launched CDX Aviation to further expand its portfolio within the aviation sector, as part of wider strategic plans and ambitions for the company. CDX Aviation The new division, CDX Aviation will assume responsibility for all ess...

SmartTask, a UK-based developer of cloud workforce management solutions, has announced that 1st Choice (1st Choice Facilities Services Limited), one of the United Kingdom’s fastest growing workplace service providers, has deployed SmartTask software, in order to automate check calls and better support staff and customers. Since introducing the technology, the Security Division at 1st Choice has released on average 40 minutes per hour during a typical night shift, improved clarity of Contr...

Biosite Security Ltd has been ranked as one of the pioneer security providers in the UK by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) after achieving Approved Contractor Status (ACS) reaccreditation.  The company is now a member of the prestigious ACS Pacesetters register, reserved for the top 15 percent of all SIA ACS accredited security companies. For more than ten years, Biosite Security Ltd has provided a dedicated security service for the construction industry across manned guarding and C...

Relentlessly innovative security sector specialist, Safer Security Group, has unveiled the next generation of site security technology, with the official launch of its Safer Pod S1. The tech disruptor’s newest product, which has already been taken up by various tier 1 contractors on sites throughout the United Kingdom (UK), is equipped with cutting edge intelligent visual verification, which captures the clearest and highest quality images yet, while it’s innovative anti-masking sen...

On Tuesday 14 June 2022, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) prosecuted a Belfast man at Laganside Magistrates’ Court for providing false information and failing to comply with the Private Security Industry Act. The case was brought by the SIA after its criminal investigation team carried out checks at Belfast’s Voodoo on Friday 2 August 2019. Tomas Tolan of Belfast pleaded guilty after previously pleading not guilty. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered...

North West-based security firm, CDX Security has announced the appointment of a new Group Sales Manager, John Welch, as part of its ambitious growth plans for the new financial year. John Welch joins the team to expand the firm’s service offering within the construction and housing sectors, following a successful 2021. Business development and sales expert An experienced business development and sales professional, John Welch has more than 20 years experience working across various sect...

As it continues to grow and make inroads into new markets, relentlessly innovative security sector specialist - Safer Security Group is further strengthening its business acquisition expertise, with the appointment of a highly experienced marketing professional. The Paisley-based tech disruptor, Safer Security Group has acquired the services of Kevin Moreland, as its new Head of Marketing, as the company pursues its strategy of building on its successful Scottish business, with a drive into the...

The popularity of electric vehicles is growing fast and there are a number of key safety considerations during assembly. G4S is working with the UK operations of a major European car manufacturer, at the forefront of best practice in protecting assembly teams, in what is a relatively new area, with its own specific safety challenges. In 2021, one in ten cars bought in the United Kingdom (UK) were electric, according to the Society of Motoring Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which us more than...

From September 28 and 29, 2021, the International Security Expo 2021, the world’s premier government, industry, academia and end-user security event, returned for the first time in nearly two years. International Security Expo 2021 Co-located with the newly-launched International Cyber Expo 2021, the events welcomed thousands of security professionals, from all corners of the industry, including senior representatives from Heathrow Airport, British Army, Bank of England, Tesco Stores Ltd...

Buyers who are serious about protecting the public and rooting out rogue elements in their security provision, at a time when events are restarting in earnest after over a year of lockdowns, should ask their security companies to evidence their approval to the code of practice for the ‘Provision of Labour in the Security and Events Sectors’. Mindful to maximise the benefit industry-wide and in the interest of all security providers and event organisers - and the public attending tho...

A security services provider has shown its commitment to a sustainable future by creating its own patch of woodland. Dardan Security, based in Great Shelford, near Cambridge, joins forces with eco-friendly business Make It Wild to annually offset 480 tonnes of CO2e through the planting of 131 trees at Dowgill Grange in Summerbridge, North Yorkshire. Last year staff at Dardan Security used over 150,000 litres of fuel which equated to nearly 90 percent of its carbon emissions (377 tonnes CO2e)....

When Care Protect wanted to upscale its operations in healthcare safety and monitoring services to a large private provider, it turned to Hikvision’s HikCentral video management software, in combination with offsite cloud video storage from Manything Pro. Care Protect is an innovative organisation. It was created to promote excellent, sustainable and consistent care delivery in health and social care settings. That innovation is reflected in the way the company integrates technology into...

Tavcom Training, one of the world’s pioneering provider of accredited security systems training courses and part of the Linx International Group, announced the addition of two one-day CCTV courses to its extensive online learning platform. The CCTV Control Room Refresher and CCTV Legislation courses are available now, with the option of accredited (BTEC) and non-accredited certificates, as well as CPD points available. The CCTV Control Room Refresher Course is essential for security pract...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) proudly sponsored the Apprentice of the Year Award at the British Security Awards 2020 which took place on 1st July. The annual event, recognising individuals and companies within the private security sector for their talent and commitment in protecting people and property, saw a significant number of NSI approved companies celebrated amongst its winners. Organised by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), this year’s British Security Aw...

Mitie Security, one of UK’s renowned technology-led security business, has become one amongst the first business in the sector to successfully pilot virtual accredited training modules. Mitie is working in partnership with the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and Highfield Qualifications, the licence awarding body, to provide online access to the training course which is required to become a licensed security guard. Previously, candidates were required to attend on-site courses. However,...

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...