SIA information from Crimestoppers doubles

[5 August 2008]

Information to Crimestoppers about unlicensed activity in the security industry has doubled since the Security Industry Authority (SIA) - the government authority responsible for licensing the private security industry - started sponsoring Crimestoppers' website in May.

In May 2008, the SIA - the government authority responsible for licensing the private security industry - sponsored the Crimestoppers website. This was primarily to encourage those in the industry and members of the public to report unlicensed activity directly to Crimestoppers – with total anonymity.

The intelligence that the SIA has received from Crimestoppers has doubled since sponsoring the site, helping them to uphold the law and ensure the right people are working in private security.

The information that the SIA received included security guards operating without an SIA licence, doorman still working on the doors when their licence has been cancelled or suspended, unlicensed wheel clampers and those with a licence who have not informed the SIA of a recent conviction. One report was about a company who employed wheel clampers who were not licensed. Further investigation revealed that the police had received several complaints about this company and were keen to take action. The SIA's partnership with the police resulted in the clampers and the director of the company being charged for engaging in licensable activity without a licence, and knowingly deploying unlicensed individuals into licensable activity. They are currently awaiting trail.

The SIA receives information in the following ways:

• The SIA website www.the-sia.org.uk
• Crimestoppers
• Police
• Call centre – 0844 892 1025
• Media reports.

Although last year most of the SIA's intelligence reports came through the SIA website, they found that information from Crimestoppers was of better quality and gave them the concise detail and clarity they needed to take further action.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity and not part of the police. If you wish to pass on information about crime anonymously, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or fill out our anonymous online Giving Information Form.

SIA licences can be checked through the Register of Licence Holders on the SIA website.