The rules around SIA door supervisors conducting bag searches
Published 30 March 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
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Request
When I attended my SIA training in August 2025, prior to receiving my SIA licence, on conducting bag searches we were advised the following:
- let the individual know that a bag search was required
- ask the individual if they granted permission to search their bag
- once permission was granted, the individual would be asked to remove contents from their bag
- we were not allowed to put our hands into an individual’s bag, as that was considered an illegal search
Under SIA rules and regulations, can an SIA door supervisor put their hands into an individual’s bag to conduct a bag search?
Response
An SIA licensed door supervisor is permitted to put their hands into an individual’s bag for the purpose of conducting a search provided that the individual has given their consent for the search to take place. The door supervisor is also required to act in accordance with any assignment instructions provided by the security company or venue on how to conduct a search which may include the use of equipment such as a wand.
The SIA’s role is to set and/or approve standards which set out the skills and knowledge that security operatives require.
It does so by creating and publishing specifications for learning and qualifications. The SIA reviews the specification requirements every 5 years. These specifications are used as the basis for qualifications and associated assessments by awarding organisations such as Highfield Qualifications, Laser Learning Awards, Pearson, Qualifications Network, SFJ Awards, and other approved awarding organisations. These awarding organisations, who are themselves regulated, take the specifications and make them into nationally recognised qualifications.
Read the specification for door supervision.
Page 5 of ‘Knowledge and skills specification: door supervision’ identifies ‘Session 2: Searching’.
The aim of this session is to understand and demonstrate effective search procedures. The session identifies a list of objectives that demonstrate the knowledge and skills that will be taught to the learner in the session. On completion of the training, a learner will be able to:
- understand a door supervisor’s right of search, including the ‘conditions of entry’ and the importance of obtaining permission to search
- demonstrate how to search people and their property
- know what actions to take in the event of a refusal to be searched
- know what actions to take when a prohibited or restricted item is found during a search
[Ref: FOI 0584]