All regulated security businesses will need to hold an Security Industry Authority (SIA) business licence by April 2015 – a deadline just before the next general election, the final step in reform of the SIA that began when the Coalition Government launched a crackdown on quangos in autumn 2010.
The Home Office has been working with the SIA on the introduction of business licensing. The Home Office says that its ministers have publicly stated their commitment to the regulatory reforms and the introduction of business regulation; which will help create a fair business environment for security companies, remove rogue operators, and deliver better value regulation.
The Scottish Government and Department of Justice for Northern Ireland have indicated that they are supportive of a consistent UK-wide regulatory regime. The proposed timetable:
• 7 April 2014: SIA accepts business licence applications.
• 1 October 2014: The last recommended business licence application date.
• 6 April 2015: Legal requirement to have a business licence.
Business licensing is subject to ministerial approval and the approval of the Scottish Government and the Department of Justice for Northern Ireland.
To qualify for an SIA business licence, a security business must demonstrate that it is ‘fit and proper’ to supply security industry services. When processing a business licence application, the SIA will consider: identity; criminality; financial probity; integrity; business competency (including British Standards).
A business will need to obtain approval for each sector in which it supplies a security industry service. The relevant sectors are:
• Manned guarding – Cash and Valuables in Transit, Close Protection, Door Supervision, Public Space Surveillance (CCTV), and Security Guarding
• Key holding.
• Immobilisation of vehicles (including the restriction and removal of vehicles) in Northern Ireland only, as wheel clamping is no longer licensable in England and Wales; and Scotland has its own law on clamping.
A business licence will last for five years. To maintain a business licence businesses will be required to comply with the conditions of the licence, provide a yearly return evidencing its continued compliance, and pay an annual subscription fee.
The SIA is writing to private security businesses to inform them of their responsibilities in applying for a business licence. Business representatives can sign-up for further information about business licensing on the SIA website www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sign-up
To ensure a business licence application can be processed in good time, the SIA recommends that businesses submit their licence application before October 2014. The SIA says that it cannot guarantee that it will complete the processing of any business licence applications received after October 1, 2014 in time for April 2015.
