SIA Prosecution Leads To Guilty Plea Date: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 Source: Info4SECURITY

A Dorset-based former security director has pleaded guilty to supplying unlicensed security operatives, and to not holding an official SIA licence. Andrew Mark Lee, 40, who ran Trade Secret Security, was given a 12-month conditional discharge at Bournemouth Crown Court for supplying unlicensed door staff. He was also fined £1,000 plus a victim surcharge of £15 and ordered to pay costs of £500 for working without an official Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. By law, anyone working as a door supervisor must possess – and display – a valid SIA licence. This means they have passed an approved training qualification and undergone vetting such as criminal record and identity checks. Directors and managers must hold at least a non-front line licence. During routine checks carried out by Dorset Police licensing offers in Bournemouth last May, a door supervisor who had been supplied to one venue by Lee was found working with an expired SIA licence. The door supervisor later received a police caution. Lee, of Holly Close, Ferndown, was found working as a door supervisor without an SIA licence at Hero’s bar in Christchurch Road. Lee was arrested at the scene and later admitted to police that he had in fact never held a licence. Commenting on the prosecution, Rachel White – an SIA head of investigation, said “Lee admitted that he had never held an SIA licence, thereby showing little regard for the law or for the public’s safety. This case demonstrates the commitment of both the police service and the Regulator to ensuring door staff are working legally, and have shown that they are fit and proper persons to act in security roles by undergoing training and vetting in obtaining the SIA licence.” PC Dave Fish of Dorset Police’s Licensing Team explained “This is an excellent result, and the first conviction of its kind in Dorset. While the majority of door supervisors working in Bournemouth are licensed, we hope that this conviction will send out a strong message to the small minority who don’t hold a licence.” In conclusion, Fish said “We take the safety of pub and club-goers very seriously indeed, and will continue to work with the Security Industry Authority and local Safer Neighbourhood Teams in carrying out regular checks on door supervisors.” To read more please click on the following link: http://www.info4security.com       Courtesy of SecurityOracle.com - The Secury Industry's Portal