Private Security Industry Act 2001
What this means for your business
- Enforced by
- SIA
- Applies to
- United Kingdom
- On this page
- 10 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
What you must do
10 compliance obligations under this legislation — 6 can result in imprisonment.
Offences and prohibitions 9
Carry out security activities without a licence
6 months imprisonmentIf you or anyone acting for your business performs any designated security activity without holding a valid Private Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence, you are committing an offence. The offence applies to directors, partners, employees, managers or supervisors who are involved in such activities. On conviction you face up to six months' imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
Fail to comply with private security licence conditions
6 months imprisonmentIf you hold a licence under the Private Security Industry Act and breach any of the conditions attached to it (such as training, insurance, display of the licence, or information duties), you commit a criminal offence. On summary conviction you can be sentenced to up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.
Liability of directors for corporation's Private Security offence
Unlimited fineIf a private‑security business breaks a provision of the Private Security Industry Act and it is shown that a director, manager, secretary or anyone acting in that role consented, connived, or was negligent, that individual (and the partnership, where relevant) can be prosecuted as if they committed the offence themselves. They face the same penalties as the company – potentially unlimited fines and, where the underlying offence allows, imprisonment. The exact penalty depends on the specific offence that was committed by the firm.
Misrepresent approved security provider status
Unlimited fineIf you are a security‑industry service provider registered under the SIA and you claim to be an approved provider when you are not, or you use wording that the Authority has not approved, you commit an offence. A conviction can result in a fine – a magistrates’ court can impose a fine up to the statutory maximum, and a Crown Court can impose an unlimited fine. No prison term is specified for this offence.
Obstruct SIA inspector or fail to comply with information request
6 months imprisonmentIf you deliberately block an SIA inspector from entering your premises, refuse or neglect to give the documents or information they ask for, or disclose that information unlawfully, you commit a criminal offence. On summary conviction you face up to six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
Provide false information to the Security Industry Authority
6 months imprisonmentIf you, or anyone acting for your business, knowingly or recklessly give a false statement to the Security Industry Authority in connection with its functions, you commit an offence. On conviction you can be sentenced to up to six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine (level 5 on the standard scale), or both. The case will be dealt with in the Magistrates' Court.
Provide security services without SIA approval
Unlimited fineIf you offer security industry services that are prohibited unless you have approval from the Security Industry Authority (SIA), you are committing an offence. The same applies if you have SIA approval but breach any of the conditions attached to that approval. Conviction can lead to an unlimited fine, either in the magistrates' court (summary) or the Crown Court (indictable).
Use an unlicensed security operative
5 years imprisonmentIf you provide security services and the work is carried out by a security operative who does not hold a licence for that activity, you commit an offence. You will not be guilty only if you truly did not know, and had no reasonable grounds to suspect, the lack of licence, or if you took all reasonable steps to ensure the operative was licensed. On conviction you face up to six months' imprisonment and an unlimited fine on summary conviction, or up to five years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine on indictment.
Use unlicensed wheel‑clampers
3 months imprisonmentIf you or your business use a wheel‑clamp (sometimes called a ‘boot’) to immobilise a vehicle without holding a licence from the Security Industry Authority, you are committing an offence. Conviction can result in a fine (up to the unlimited level 5 standard‑scale amount) and, on indictment, up to three months in prison. The offence applies whether you operate the clamp yourself or hire it out to others.
Registration and licensing 1
Obtain and maintain an approved status for security services
If your business provides security services in the UK you must apply to the Security Industry Authority for an approval, prove you meet technical and fit‑and‑proper requirements, pay any required fee and comply with the conditions attached to the approval. The approval lasts three years (unless varied by the Secretary of State) and must be kept up‑to‑date.
Penalties for non-compliance
9 penalties under this legislation. 6 can result in imprisonment. 9 carry an unlimited fine.
Carry out security activities without a licence
Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment
Fail to comply with private security licence conditions
Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment
Obstruct SIA inspector or fail to comply with information request
Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment
Provide false information to the Security Industry Authority
Unlimited fine and/or 6 months imprisonment
Use an unlicensed security operative
Unlimited fine and/or 5 years imprisonment
Use unlicensed wheel‑clampers
Unlimited fine and/or 3 months imprisonment
Liability of directors for corporation's Private Security offence
Unlimited fine
Misrepresent approved security provider status
Unlimited fine
Provide security services without SIA approval
Unlimited fine
Practical guidance
Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.
Sections and provisions
29 classified provisions from this legislation.
Duties 6
Offences and penalties 10
- s.3 Conduct prohibited without a licence
- s.4 Exemptions from licensing requirement
- s.5 Offence of using unlicensed security operative
- s.6 Offence of using unlicensed wheel-clampers
- s.9 Licence conditions
- s.16 Right to use approved status
- s.17 Imposition of requirements for approval
- s.19 Powers of entry and inspection
- s.22 False information
- s.23 Criminal liability of directors etc