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Report security staff or companies to the Security Industry Authority (SIA)

Report security staff or companies you think are breaking the law

You can report security staff or companies, for example if you think they’re:

  • using a fake, out of date or stolen SIA licence
  • employing someone for security work who does not have a valid SIA licence
  • saying they’re an SIA approved contractor when they’re not
  • using excessive force to fulfil their role
  • involved in criminal activity (for example, theft, organised crime or fraud)
  • exploiting private security staff for financial gain
  • a training company giving students the answers to assessments for SIA qualifications
  • showing signs of predatory behaviour (for example, targeting lone vulnerable adults or children)
  • guilty of hate crime offences (for example, discrimination or abusive language relating to race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, disability or other protected characteristics)

If you’re using the form to report a crime, you should report it to the police first. You can enter the police crime number when you fill in the form.

Security staff you can report

Security staff include:

  • security guards
  • door supervisors
  • close protection operatives (sometimes known as ‘bodyguards’)
  • CCTV operators and those who work on public space surveillance
  • key holders
  • guards who transport cash and valuables
  • in Northern Ireland, people who clamp wheels, move vehicles and charge for their release

Make a report online

Start now

What you need to know

You should not use this form to:

  • report poor service
  • report a personal complaint or grievance

If you work in the private security industry

You can use this form to report your company, other companies or other security staff who have broken the law or are a risk to the public.

Do not use your SIA account to report a crime or someone who’s a risk to the public. The incident will be recorded on your account, not the account of the person or company you’re reporting.

If you’re a whistleblower

You can also use this form to make a ‘protected disclosure’.

What happens next

The SIA will assess the information you provide and may use it to:

  • give a written warning
  • refuse, suspend or revoke SIA licences
  • refuse or withdraw Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) approval
  • support its prosecution cases against companies or individuals
  • confiscate assets if a crime has taken place

They may also share the information with the police or other law enforcement.

When the SIA may not act on your report

They may not act on your report if:

  • they could not verify the information you’ve given (for example, if the person could not be identified)
  • what you’ve reported is not something they can act on (for example, poor service)
  • you reported someone as working without a licence, but that person does not need one

They may need to gather more evidence before taking action against the company or individual you’ve reported. They may contact you for more information if you’ve given your consent.

Other ways to report crimes committed in the private security industry

Contact Crimestoppers to report crimes or incidents anonymously by phone or online. They will tell the police and SIA.

Crimestoppers
Crimestoppers website
Telephone: 0800 555 111
24-hour service

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