This was the second time SIA investigators have mounted such a huge operation (the first was in Birmingham in May. In all, Operation Falcon targeted 97 premises including Old Trafford, shopping centres, amusement arcades, business premises, hotels, galleries, conference and event centres, a Magistrates’ Court and a college.
A total of 149 security operatives were checked and 26 security companies inspected. 142 operatives were SIA licensed. Compliance levels were found to be 95%.
Alleged offences encountered were:
– Seven Section 3 offences (working without a licence)
– Six Section 9 offences (failing to display a licence)
Speaking about this latest enforcement operation, Andy Drane – the Regulator’s director of operations – explained: “Although our operations are usually intelligence-led, random inspection checks – particularly on this scale – reinforce our understanding of how compliant the private security industry really is. In May of this year, we carried out the first of our large-scale operations in Birmingham and found a similar level of compliance. I hope that further operations will continue to show that over 90% of the private security industry abides by the law.”
Drane continued: “Perhaps the true value of these exercises is the quality and quantity of the intelligence gathered which helps us to maintain our high standards.”