The news, which comes just days before the SIA’s licensing remit extends north of the border, means 1500 unlicensed guards could be working in the country.
“Around half of them are licensed, but those figures are increasing everyday,” an SIA spokesperson told info4security.
However, they said it was important to look beyond Scotland’s door staff to the wider industry, which it has been regulating in England and Wales since 2003.
“We don’t want to look at it as just Scotland. After all, anyone who works in England and Wales can work in Scotland, too.”
Although Scottish operatives have been able to apply for licenses since February, it appears many have left it to the last minute. One report in a Glasgow newspaper said it was taking up to eight weeks for applications to be processed.
The SIA said people awaiting licenses can use its online tracking tool. Click here to visit the website.
From November the 1st, security staff will be breaking the law if they work in Scotland without a valid SIA license. To find out more, click here.
