Whether SIA licence holders can use force against shoplifters
Published 21 November 2025
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Request
Physical intervention with shoplifters
To what extent is an SIA-licensed guard legally permitted to use physical force to stop and detain a suspected shoplifter who is attempting to leave a retail establishment? What are the principles of “reasonable force” in this context?
Retaliation, self-defence, and unlawful detention
In a scenario where a suspected shoplifter physically assaults a guard, what is the guard’s legal position regarding the use of force in self-defence?
Furthermore, is it legally permissible for a guard to detain a suspect by locking the store’s doors to prevent their escape pending the arrival of police, or would this action be considered unlawful detention or false imprisonment?
Defence against armed assailants
In the extreme circumstance of an armed robbery, please clarify the rules regarding self-preservation. Specifically: can an SIA-licensed guard legally carry or use defensive incapacitant sprays (such as PAVA spray or pepper spray)?
What is the legal standing of a guard using readily available items, such as shopping baskets or a fire extinguisher, as improvised tools for defence against an armed assailant when their life is under immediate threat?
Response
I confirm that the SIA holds this information.
Physical intervention with shoplifters; retaliation, self-defence, and unlawful detention
Security operatives do not have any special powers that extend beyond the powers of any other citizen.
Section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 enables a person other than a constable to make an arrest without a warrant, commonly known as a citizen’s arrest. It allows for an arrest to be made where somebody is committing or suspected of committing an indictable offence.
A citizen’s arrest may only be made to prevent the person from causing injury to themself or another, suffering injury themself, causing loss of or damage to property or making off before a constable can assume responsibility for them.
A security operative may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime or the citizen’s arrest of an offender.
The force must be necessary to the circumstances and proportionate to the threat.
A security operative may have a deployment briefing which is agreed between a security provider and a buyer of security services. This should detail what action a security operative is expected to take where shoplifting occurs.
Defence against armed assailants
Incapacitant sprays
The use of incapacitant sprays is illegal in the UK.
The use of dye sprays and marker sprays is not part of SIA-approved training. The approved training focuses on conflict management and conflict resolution.
Anyone who does use dye or marker sprays should be aware that their use could constitute assault where injury occurs, unless they can show that using this spray was reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances.
Someone using a dye spray or marker spray in a way that was not reasonable and proportionate might therefore be subject to litigation or be prosecuted.
Improvised tools for defence
A security operative may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime or the citizen’s arrest of an offender.
[Ref: FOI 0574]