SIA non-front line licences and front line activity
Published 14 March 2022
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1. Request
I would like to know:
- How many non-front line licences are active in Scotland?
- Do these licences allow the holder to perform front line roles, albeit briefly?
- If so, how long in hours?
- If not, how would the SIA view such practice?
2. Response
I confirm that the SIA holds the information that you have requested and responses to the questions may be found below.
2.1 How many non-front line licences are active in Scotland?
As of 2 March 2022, there were 463 non-front line licences active in Scotland. This number is based upon the licence holder’s home address and not their location of work.
2.2 Do these licences allow the holder to perform front line roles, albeit briefly?
The information you have requested 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: Find out if you need an SIA licence.
A non-front line licence does not allow a holder to perform front line roles. It covers you for:
- key holding
- managing, supervising and/or employing individuals who perform licensable activities in their job
- being a director of a company, or partner of a firm, where any other directors, partners or employees of that company or firm perform licensable activities in their job
2.3 If so, how long in hours?
Not applicable.
2.4 If not, how would the SIA view such practice?
If you believe that an SIA licence holder has acted unlawfully, we would like to know about this. Concerns can be reported here. This information will be treated as intelligence, and we will investigate this with reference to the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA) and initiate any enforcement action we feel appropriate. We would not however be able to feed back on the actions we take.
[Reference: FOI 0327]