Whether you’re looking to work in the security industry, or are considering a contractor to undertake your security services you’ll benefit from the work of the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
A statutory organisation, the SIA regulate the UK’s private security industry. At Abbey Security, we’ve been an SIA Approved Contractor since 2006 and all our staff are SIA licenced. Read on to find out more about the SIA.
Who are the SIA?
The SIA is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. An independent body, the SIA have two duties:
- To license individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry (including manned guarding, close protection, door supervision, public space surveillance, keyholding and vehicle immobilising).
- To manage the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security suppliers against independently assessed criteria.
Reporting to the Home Secretary, the SIA works under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, legislation that was passed to raise standards within the industry and prevent unsuitable people getting into positions of trust.
The SIA aims to reduce criminality and raise standards so that the public is, and feels, safer.
What is the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme?
The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is a voluntary scheme which measures security companies against a set of operational and performance standards. The accreditation provides proof of a contractor’s commitment to quality.
The ACS takes a holistic view of how well an organisation is managed, how it treats employees and how effectively it services customers. By choosing an accredited provider you’ll know they’re forward-thinking and committed to customer service.
Abbey Security has been an SIA Approved Contractor since 2006.
I want to become a security guard. What is involved in SIA individual licensing?
The SIA licensing ensures that private security operatives are ‘fit and proper’ persons who have been properly trained and are qualified to do their job.
All security officers working in the UK must be SIA licenced by law.
We looked in detail at how to become a security officer in our blog ‘Ever wondered what it takes to become a Security Officer?’. If you want more information on how to work in the security industry, or have attained your licence and wish to apply for a job with Abbey Security, please feel free to look at our vacancies page to discover our current openings.
What are the benefits of using an SIA Approved Contractor for my business’s security needs?
When choosing a security company to provide your security services, you’ll want to ensure they’re committed to customer service and licensing of their staff. The ACS provides this assurance. As well as enjoying this peace of mind, you’ll also get further benefits when you choose an SIA Approved Contractor.
As they can deploy staff who are awaiting their licence application being processed but have completed the appropriate training, approved contractors are more flexible than non-approved companies. All staff must be SIA licenced, but this extra leniency means fully trained officers can be deployed more quickly.
By using an approved contractor you’ll know they will only sub-contract work to other SIA Approved Contractors and will benefit from joined-up working relationships between the police, business and community initiatives.
By looking at the company’s scores in their latest audit, you can also easily compare accredited companies based on these criteria.
To find out more, read our blog ‘Why should I use an accredited contractor for my security services?’.
Abbey Security provide security services to companies throughout East Anglia
As East Anglia’s largest independent professional security guard company, Abbey Security are trusted specialist static and mobile manned guarding providers. We hold SIA Approved Contractor status for the provision of Security Guarding, Keyholding, Door Supervision and Public Space CCTV.
If you require security services in Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Newmarket, Thetford or the surrounding areas, or if you wish to work in the security industry, please get in contact with Abbey Security on 01284 768832 or via our contact page.
Read More
‘Ever wondered what it takes to become a Security Officer?’ »
‘Why should I use an accredited contractor for my security services?’ »
Posted on November 20, 2017