Doorstaff

Licensees must ensure that their door staff are licensed with the Security Industry Authority

The Security Industry Authority has been in existence for a number of years now. The essential requirement is that anyone who is engaging in the activities of a “Security Operative” needs a valid licence issued by the SIA.

There is a mandatory training requirement prior to obtaining a badge. In addition, an applicant will have to subject himself to a Disclosure and barring Services search as the existence of previous convictions may well prejudice their chances of obtaining a licence.

The licence must be renewed annually and it is a criminal offence to work without a valid licence. The scheme extends to door staff as well as security guards and anyone involved in activities such as protecting premises from unauthorised occupation and protecting either individuals or property.
If a security company is registered as an approved contractor with the SIA then it enjoys benefits including the ability to allow employees to work whilst their licence applications are being processed.

Directors of such companies also need a licence although if they are not actively working themselves in a security role then they only require a “non front line” badge which is simpler to obtain.

Offences under the legislation may be committed both by those who are working as security operatives and also those who employ them. All Premises Licences carry a mandatory condition requiring any door staff used to be registered with the SIA and therefore a Designated Premises Supervisor or Premises Licence Holder may be prosecuted for breach of that mandatory condition in the event that unlicensed door supervisors are used.