Importance of the SIA for a Security Services Buyer
If you are not familiar with the SIA or its Approved Contractor Scheme, please read below.
As a potential buyer of security services, please bear in mind these very important facts:
- An SIA licence only applies to individuals; there is no SIA license for a security company.
- Most security companies are not SIA Approved Contractors. Only companies, such as Bowles Security Services, that have extensive annual audits by the SIA can achieve the highest standards in best practices and hence receive this accreditation.
- Only SIA Approved Contractor companies are allowed to use security personnel (max. 15% of the workforce) who have not yet received a personal SIA licence but have applied for one (called 'Dispensation').
Any company either falsely displaying SIA Approved Contractor status, or using unlicensed security personnel without SIA Approved Contractor status, is breaking the law.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
Before you choose a security company, please use a SIA Approved Contractor to ensure you get the best service though excellent standards in Health & Safety, Quality Management, Security Vetting of Staff, High Levels of Insurance, and other industry best practices.
Any non-Approved Contractor will not have had ANY of these controls audited (Caveat Emptor!).
"The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the government organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry. We are an independent body reporting to the Home Secretary, established in 2003 under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Our mission is to help protect society by collaboratively developing and achieving high standards within the private security industry."
The SIA covers two main functions:
1) Compulsory background vetting and licensing of all people working in specific functions of the private security industry.
2) Regulation and auditing of companies that achieve the highest standards of the Approved Contractor Scheme.
"Our Approved Contractor Scheme introduced a set of operational and performance standards for companies providing private security services. Those organisations that meet these standards are awarded Approved Contractor status. This accreditation provides purchasers of private security services with independent proof of a contractor's commitment to quality. We believe that a professional, regulated private security industry has the potential to become a valuable member of the extended police family, helping to reduce crime, disorder and the fear of crime."