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Licensing Security Guards - 20 March 2006 |
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Tuesday, 21 March 2006 |
From 20 March 2006, it will become illegal to work as, or supply, a contracted-in security guard without an SIA licence in England and Wales. This applies to individuals working in the Security, Public Space Surveillance CCTV, Close Protection and Cash and Valuables in Transit sectors. Security guards working at licensed premises and places of regulated entertainment (Door Supervisors) have been required to have an SIA licence to work since 11 April 2005.
From 20 March 2006, it will become illegal to work as, or supply, a contracted-in security guard without an SIA licence in England and Wales. This applies to individuals working in the Security, Public Space Surveillance CCTV, Close Protection and Cash and Valuables in Transit sectors. Security guards working at licensed premises and places of regulated entertainment (Door Supervisors) have been required to have an SIA licence to work since 11 April 2005.
The SIA's licensing system, including the linkages to the Criminal Records Bureau has a robust processing capacity of around 12,000 applications per month. To deal with the last-minute flood of applications we have temporarily doubled capacity to up to 24,000 per month. Unfortunately the normal, average six week turnaround from application to licence is currently taking an average of twelve weeks due to the last minute rush of applications.
The situation is, of course, temporary. We anticipate the accumulation of applications will be processed and dealt with within eight to ten weeks of the 20 March deadline.
The SIA wants all of the security industry to be compliant with the law as soon as possible. We have a range of sanctions available to us – including (but not limited to) prosecution. The approach we take to offences will be measured, fair and proportionate.
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