FOI release

SIA approved contractors broken down by UK region

Published 28 February 2022

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sia-approved-contractors-broken-down-by-uk-region/sia-approved-contractors-broken-down-by-uk-region

1. Request

Please provide:

  • the number of security companies broken down by region within the UK
  • the number of ACS approved security companies broken down by region within the UK
  • a relative breakdown of the size of the approved ACS companies per region (i.e. as follows: ordinary partnership, small business, medium sized business, large business)
  • the licensable population broken down by region within the UK

2. Response

I confirm that the SIA holds the information you have requested with the exception of the number of security companies broken down by region within the UK. The SIA does not regulate security companies and does not hold details of the number of security companies by region within the UK.

The remainder of the information requested can be found below.

2.1 Approved contractors

As of 16 February 2022, there were 837 SIA approved contractors. Below is a table showing the number of ACS approved security businesses by region and a breakdown of the business size.

Region Micro Small Medium Large Grand Total
East England 3 3 5 0 11
East Midlands 4 5 24 4 37
East of England 16 17 27 7 67
Greater London 82 53 91 30 256
North East 8 7 29 5 49
North West 22 34 43 10 109
Northern Ireland 2 4 11 0 17
Scotland 3 9 17 2 41
South East 22 21 41 5 89
South West 12 13 22 2 49
Wales 4 3 17 0 24
West Midlands 19 28 34 7 88
Grand Total 207 197 361 72 837

Note the following criteria for ACS business size:

  • ‘Micro’ - Fewer than 11 employees
  • ‘Small’ – Fewer than 26 employees
  • ‘Medium’ – Fewer than 250 employees
  • ‘Large’ – 250 or more employees

Employee data is based upon the information submitted by ACS companies once a year, at the point when the business submits their ACS application.

2.2 Licensable population

This information is exempt under section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as the data is readily accessible within the public domain. For ease of use, I have provided you with the link which will take you to our website and the location of the data: SIA licence holders.

[Reference: FOI 0320]

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