BSIA welcomes Sabrewatch convictions

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has welcomed the recent convictions of security company Sabrewatch who have been found guilty of supplying unlicensed security operatives to customers.

Sabrewatch, based in East Grinstead, provided security for high street retailers including Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Harvey Nichols, GAP and Cadbury Schweppes. The firm had been supplying unlicensed security operatives to customers despite being well aware that the law states security personnel must be licensed. Following repeated warnings of the illegality of their actions from the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which regulates the private security industry under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, Sabrewatch was prosecuted. The firm and its directors were found guilty on seven counts on Monday 22 nd February and were ordered to pay fines in excess of £215,000.

Bill Muskin, Chairman of the BSIA's Security Guarding Section, comments: "The BSIA endorses the SIA's tough stance on companies that continue to break the licensing rules. Licensing is vital and ensures that customers are properly protected by certified security personnel that are trained and thoroughly vetted in accordance with the SIA's requirements. Customers contracting licensed staff are then safe in the knowledge that their people and assets are being looked after by correctly regulated staff."

James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA, adds: "As a strong supporter of the Private Security Industry Act, the BSIA welcomes this action, which follows the deployment of unlicensed operatives by Sabrewatch. The Association and its members are keen supporters of robust investigations into breaches of the Act and are pleased to see that this case has been brought to an appropriate conclusion."

"Both this result and the similar conviction of security company Securiplan in November 2008, who were also fined for providing unlicensed security staff to customers, serves as an important reminder to any company tempted to deploy unlicensed operatives that this behaviour will not be tolerated."

For more information about the BSIA's Security Guarding Section, visit www.bsia.co.uk/guarding. To visit the SIA's website, visit www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk