ALL regulated security businesses, including those supplying door stewards to the licensed trade, will be required to hold a new SIA business licence by April 2015, under new rules unveiled by the Home Office.
The new licensing regime, which aims to cut down on the number of ‘rogue operators’ in the industry, will require companies to demonstrate they are ‘fit and proper’ to supply security industry services. They will also need to obtain approval for each sector of the industry they operate in.
Security firms will be able to apply for a licence from April 2014 and must have their licence in place by April 6, 2015.
The Home Office has advised firms to apply no later than October 1, 2014.
The regulation of the private security industry is a devolved concern. However, the Scottish Government has already indicated that it supports a UK-wide regulatory regime.
