About Security Industry Authority
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulates the private sector security industry in the UK. They are an independent body that answers to the Home Secretary under the Private Security Industry Act 2001. It aims to reduce criminality, recognise good service and raise standards.The SIA has two main duties. The first is to licence individuals working in the private security industry. All security professionals must have a licence. The second is to manage the Approved Contractor Scheme, which inspects private security suppliers.
SIA licencing covers a range of different security areas. These include door supervision, key holding and vehicle immobilising. The aim of SIA licencing is to ensure that personnel are competent and have the relevant qualifications to work in the private security sector.
The Approved Contractor Scheme sets operational and performance standards for suppliers of private security services. SIA assesses companies and awards those that meet the standards Approved Contractor status. The certification gives customers peace of mind when they use private security services as it serves as proof that the contractor has made a commitment to quality.
The SIA aims to be a fair and efficient regulator of the private security industry. It has a set of standards that it abides by to make sure that it carries out its regulatory activities in an appropriate way. It follows government best practice in the development of any policies and it works with the Home Office to conduct Regulatory Impact Assessments. The SIA also makes sure that it is fair and consistent by checking every licence application against the same criteria.
