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'High risk' Companies Sign Compliance Declaration
11 September 2007: Last week, investigators from the Security
Industry Authority (SIA) visited a number of Scottish security directors
and managers to forewarn them that they could face severe penalties if
they deploy unlicensed staff after the 1 November licensing date.
The 20 security
companies are considered by the SIA to be at 'high risk' of not being in
a position to be able to supply sufficient licensed security staff after
1 November.
Senior employees of
the companies were asked to read and sign a compliance notice
acknowledging that they understood the terms of the Private Security
Industry Act 2001 (PSIA 2001), their obligations under the Act, and the
consequences of not complying with the law.
Jennifer Pattinson,
SIA Head of Investigation for Scotland said:
"The security
directors we visited cannot claim ignorance over their legal obligations
under the PSIA 2001. Security companies have been aware that SIA
licensing is coming to Scotland
for some time but I am concerned that, with just over seven weeks before
the offence date, there are still companies who are not adequately
prepared."
Notes to Editors:
The licensable
sectors are: Door Supervisor (in-house & contract), Security Guard
(contractors), Cash & Valuables in Transit (contractors), Public
Space Surveillance CCTV (contractors), Close Protection (contractors),
Key Holders (contractors).
The penalties for
offences under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 are potentially
severe - up to £5,000 fine and / or six months imprisonment. A charge of
supplying unlicensed operatives can be tried at the Crown Court where
there is no limit to the amount of a fine and a sentence of imprisonment
of up to five years can be given.
In 2001 responses
to Scottish Ministers' Private Security Consultation Paper showed clear
support for a single, British private security licensing regime to
encourage legitimate business, drive out illegality and push up
standards. They also wanted regulation that would protect and reassure
the public and users of private security services in Scotland,
without putting Scottish businesses at a disadvantage.
In March 2003, the
Scottish Executive approved proposals to regulate the Scottish private
security industry and to invite the SIA to extend its remit to cover Scotland.
The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, among its many provisions,
extends the remit of the SIA to Scotland.
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