During the intelligence led operation, 11 licensed premises were visited and 35 door supervisors checked. Most held valid SIA Door Supervisor licences. However, a small number of door staff were working with expired licences. The SIA always takes a fair and proportionate approach to enforcement action, and will take into account the progress an individual has made towards obtaining or renewing a licence (eg training completed, licence application submitted). However, the Regulator expects security companies and individuals to comply with the law.
Lucia Howland, one of the SIA’s heads of investigations, said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank our partners at Northumbria Police and South Tyneside Council for working with us. We all want to see trained, qualified and SIA licensed door staff working in positions of trust. We were pleased to find door staff complying with the law and it is reassuring for us, and the public, that door supervisors and licensees in South Shields have recognised the importance and value of an SIA licence.”
Ian Johnson, the licensing co-ordinator for South Tyneside Area Command, told info4security: “The aim of Operation QWERTY was to make sure that door staff in South Shields town centre are working in a professional manner. It was extremely encouraging that a high number of the 35 door staff checked across 11 premises were displaying their SIA badges. Only a small number were working with an expired licence. It is important that their role is properly regulated, and that these regulations are appropriately enforced. We regularly carry out these multi-agency checks and will continue to do so to ensure that South Tyneside remains a safe place in which to live and work.”
Councillor Michael Clare, lead member for the environment, housing and transport at South Tyneside Council, said: “Officers in the Council’s Licensing Section work closely with Northumbria Police, the Security Industry Authority and licensees to ensure that all door supervisors working within South Tyneside are fully compliant. We are delighted that no serious offences were highlighted as a result o frecent checks. This shows that the partnership is working effectively. As a Council, we are fully committed to supporting the night time economy and continue to work with our partners to ensure people stay safe but still have a great time when visiting the Borough.”
It’s an offence to work as a door supervisor (in-house and contract) in Great Britain without an SIA licence. A door supervisor licence is required if security guarding activities are undertaken in relation to licensed premises. Over 50% of the licensable population work for an SIA Approved Contractor. This means that security companies can be given the authorisation to deploy a certain percentage of their security staff while their licence applications are being processed. This is in the form of an SIA Licence Dispensation Notice (LDN).
The maximum penalty for committing an offence such as working without a licence or supplying unlicensed staff is six months’ imprisonment and/or fine up to GB pound 5,000 (or trial on indictment to Crown Court, whereby an unlimited fine and/or five years’ imprisonment could be imposed). SIA licences can be checked through the Register of Licence Holders, available 24-hours on the SIA website at www.the-sia.org.uk
Third Meeting for Door Supervision Network
As part of the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) Stakeholder Engagement Strategy, the third Door Supervision Network meeting will be held on Tuesday 24 June in Skegness. This meeting follows the successes of the first two events held in September 2007 and January 2008.
The meeting is being organised and facilitated by representatives from the door supervision sector. It’s an ideal opportunity for delegates working within door supervision to engage with the SIA and others in their industry. Representatives will discuss and explore issues about the industry and regulation.
If you would like to attend the meeting, please visit http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home/licensing/door_supervision/ds_network_form.htm to register your interest by 5pm on Friday 30 May 2008.
Registering your interest to attend does not guarantee a place at the meeting. Places will be confirmed by 13 June 2008. By registering your interest to attend, you agree to the SIA passing your contact details to the meeting organisers.
Notes from the first and second meetings can be found here (http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home/licensing/door_supervision/ds_network.htm) Information on the SIA’s Stakeholder Engagement Strategy can be found on the ‘About Us’ page of the SIA’s web site at: www.the-sia.org.uk