FOI release

Questions about a press release the SIA issued on 16 June 2021

Published 26 July 2021

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/questions-about-a-press-release-the-sia-issued-on-16-june-2021/questions-about-a-press-release-the-sia-issued-on-16-june-2021

1. Request

This press release raises one or two questions.

Can you advise:

  1. How much Standeasy Security Ltd were charging for the “173 shifts of unlicensed security for the premises”, whether that bill was paid and if so, whether it was re-imbursed to the client?

  2. As both offenders were unlicensed, how could their licences be revoked and suspended?

  3. One offender had his licence revoked and the other had his licence suspended - why did both not receive the same penalty?

  4. Subject to your response to question 2, is there a remedy which prohibits those convicted of unlicensed activity (i.e. non licence holders) from applying for a licence? And if so, is that prohibition subject to a timeline, and who sets that timeline?

  5. Was it 153 shifts (40+109) or 173?

2. Response

2.1 How much Standeasy Security Ltd were charging for the “173 shifts of unlicensed security for the premises”, whether that bill was paid and if so, whether it was re-imbursed to the client?

Following guilty pleas by both defendants, the Court asked how much the company made during the period of offending and the response on behalf of the company was that the Laboratory pays Standeasy Security Ltd the sum of £15.50 per hour for each guard. The guards work a 12 shift and are paid £9 per hour. Details were not provided in respect of whether the bill was paid or re-imbursed back to the client.

2.2 As both offenders were unlicensed, how could their licences be revoked and suspended?

Both of the offenders were licensed after the period that they were undertaking licensable activities without a licence.

Licensees who are being investigated for a relevant offence may have their licences suspended and/or revoked in accordance with the SIA licencing criteria as set out in Get Licensed.

2.3 One offender had his licence revoked and the other had his licence suspended - why did both not receive the same penalty?

Both offenders had their licences suspended and revoked.

2.4 Subject to your response to question 2, is there a remedy which prohibits those convicted of unlicensed activity (i.e. non licence holders) from applying for a licence? And if so, is that prohibition subject to a timeline, and who sets that timeline?

The SIA uses the sentence/disposal of a relevant conviction against the assessment grid to assess whether an applicant will be granted a licence. The assessment grid can be found at page 29 of Get Licensed. If a licence applicant has been convicted of a relevant conviction the actual sentence/disposal an applicant receives is important as it will affect the time an applicant will need to be free of the sentence restrictions of a conviction, caution, warning, community resolution, absolute/conditional discharge or admonishment before they are able to apply for a licence.

2.5 Was it 153 shifts (40+109) or 173?

153 shifts

[Reference: FOI 0258]

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