FOI release

SIA licensing: statistics and information on who needs a licence

Published 22 September 2021

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sia-licensing-statistics-and-information-on-who-needs-a-licence/sia-licensing-statistics-and-information-on-who-needs-a-licence

1. Request

  1. The total number of registered SIA licence holders in the United Kingdom as at 1 January 2021 (figures only).
  2. The gender and ethnicity breakdown of these registered SIA licence holders provided in Question 1.
  3. The expected minimum pay per hour for registered SIA licence holders in the United Kingdom in 2021.
  4. Does the SIA have a policy or guidance on the number of SIA licence holders required per venue or event (Yes or No)?
  5. If the answer to question 4 is ‘Yes’, can you kindly provide a copy of the guidance or policy.
  6. How many SIA licence holders is required for 100 persons in a venue (figures only)?
  7. Does a person writing a book on close protection or physical security need to have an SIA licence (Yes or No)?
  8. Does a ‘private investigator’ require an SIA licence (Yes or No)?
  9. Does a ‘security consultant’ require an SIA licence (Yes or No)?
  10. Does an ‘event usher’ for a private party require an SIA licence (Yes or No)?

2. Response

I confirm that the SIA holds part of the information that you have requested.

  1. 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.

  2. This information is exempt under section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as the data is readily accessible within the public domain with the exception of ethnicity breakdown which is not recorded for the date requested (1 January 2021). The SIA publishes details of nationality which may be of interest. For ease of use, I have provided you with the link which will take you to our website and the location of the data.

  3. The SIA does not hold details of the expected minimum pay per hour for a registered SIA licence holder in the UK in 2021.

  4. No. The SIA does not have a policy or guidance on the number of SIA licence holders required per venue or event as this falls outside our statutory remit. A local licensing authority may set a minimum number of SIA licence holders required for a specific venue or event by way of a licensing condition under the Licensing Act 2003.

  5. Not applicable.

  6. The SIA does not hold details of the number of SIA licence holders required for 100 persons in a venue as this falls outside our statutory remit. A local licensing authority may set a minimum number of SIA licence holders required for a specified number of persons in a venue by way of a licensing condition under the Licensing Act 2003.

  7. No.

  8. No.

  9. No.

  10. It depends upon the activities that the individual will be carrying out. When considering whether an individual requires an SIA licence, it is important to consider what activities are being carried out rather than focusing on the job title itself. An SIA licence will be needed if the work that the individual will be doing is part of a ‘contract for services’ and involves a ‘licensable activity’. Guidance can be found on our website.

[Reference: FOI 0275]

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