A security company is having its Approved Contractor Scheme status withdrawn after convictions at Doncaster Magistrates’ Court. Project Security UK Limited (Project Security) of Lazarus Court, Doncaster, and its two senior managers were convicted for security offences on November 27. As a result, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has made the decision to remove the company’s ACS status.
Project Security and its director, Simon Bran, 46, pleaded guilty to supplying three unlicensed security guards. The security company’s other director, Ian Smithurst, 45, pleaded guilty to providing false information to the SIA. In March 2013, the SIA received intelligence about an unlicensed security guard working for Project Security. A formal request for information made by SIA investigators to the security company was returned with names of licensed security operatives.
Further enquiries found that the names given by Project Security were different to the names of those working at the sites in question. SIA investigators discovered several other security guards were working illegally from June 2011 to March 2013. For supplying three unlicensed security guards, Project Security UK Limited was fined £6,120 and ordered to pay costs of £3,000.
Bran, of Brierholme Close, Doncaster, was convicted for three offences of supplying unlicensed security guards. He received a community order for 100 hours of unpaid work. Bran was ordered to pay costs of £1,000.
In sentencing Bran, the District Judge said: “this offending has gone on for a lengthy period of time and in that time there was a warning issued which is an aggravating factor.”
Smithurst, of Brosley Avenue, Doncaster, was convicted of providing false information to the SIA. He received a Community Order for 100 hours of unpaid work. Smithurst was also ordered to pay costs of £1,000.
In sentencing Smithurst, the District Judge said: “your offence has the element of dishonesty as well which I view as more serious; therefore I’m imposing the same penalties.”
He added: “Counsel sought to seek financial penalties; however, these are serious offences. The legislation was set up for a purpose which is to protect the public. These offences are not just dealt with by means of a fine but can even lead to imprisonment.”
Head of Investigation, Nathan Salmon said after the case: “I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this investigation. Project Security UK Limited was an ACS company and its customers should have expected a quality service. The director allowed standards to slip and offending was identified.
“This matter was further aggravated by its operations manager who falsely provided the SIA with names of licensed guards in an effort to conceal the two years of offending. This prosecution demonstrates that the SIA will take robust action against offending ACS companies in order to protect the integrity of the scheme.”
Project Security UK Limited has 21 days to appeal the decision to court. Information about SIA enforcement and penalties can be found on the website: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/enforcement
For further information about the Security Industry Authority visit: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk.
