Of the 16 people checked by SIA operatives and officers from Northern Constabulary, only five were deployed legally.
The visits were part of the regulator’s multi-agency campaign, Festive Spice, which will run throughout the Christmas and New Year period.
“Security guards and door staff who work without an SIA licence, and those deploying them, are committing an offence and it is disappointing that the majority of those checked were not complying with the law,” said Jenny Pattinson, an SIA Head of Investigation.
“The security industry and night-time economy are growing and important sectors in Scotland. SIA licence holders are qualified and professional operatives and there is no longer a role for amateurs.”
Northern Constabulary’s Bob Pollock said he was disappointed to find that 69 per cent of the operatives checked were working without an SIA licence.
“The provision of door stewards assists in the maintenance of public order and safety, and the purpose in having trained, registered door stewards is to provide the public with a service in which they can have confidence and trust,” he said.
“We would therefore join with our colleagues at the SIA in urging licensees to be certain that they are operating within the law when employing door stewards for their own, their customers, and the public’s benefit.”
All 11 people found to be working without licences have been issued with warnings under section three of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.