Company director prosecuted for breaching Private Security Industry Act

The case began when the SIA’s London investigators carried out a routine licence inspection in Wembley on 7 July 2021 during the run-up to the final of the UEFA European Championship at Wembley Stadium. During the inspection, they visited a nearby Irish theme bar on Wembley Park Drive and checked the SIA licence of Erjon Xhika. The licence was fake and, when questioned by investigators, Xhika disappeared from the venue and the fake licence was seized. Erjon Xhika will appear in court on 16 October 2023.

The manager of the venue gave the SIA investigator the security company’s business card, which featured the SIA’s Approved Contractor Scheme logo. The sole director of the security company was Gentian Dedej. As the business was only several months old, it was not possible for the company to have achieved SIA Approved Contractor Scheme status.

The SIA began a criminal investigation and, on 11 August 2021, investigators requested information from Dedej, but he failed to supply the requested details. On 1 September, Dedej replied to SIA investigators, but again failed to supply them with the information they sought.

Interview under caution

Dedej joined SIA investigators for an interview under caution on 23 November 2021 at the SIA’s head office. During the interview, an account was given to the SIA implying that Dedej knew the man who was using a fake SIA licence. He implied that he had never employed the man, although he did admit to failing to provide the SIA with the information it required.

During the meeting, Dedej indicated that he would provide a full response. The following day, Dedej sent the SIA investigator an e-mail containing payslips for the employees that did not match the previous day’s responses or those he gave during the interview.

On 21 December 2021, Dedej’s solicitors sent further documentation. However, this again did not match those documents received previously. Dedej’s solicitors indicated that they would provide further documentation. This never occurred.

At Dedej’s sentencing, the presiding magistrate commented: “These are matters which can be dealt with by way of a financial penalty. That is not to undermine the serious nature of them. The court has to send a message that individuals cannot claim to be members of approved schemes of which they are not. The way in which to make that message clear is to pass a fine that recognises your income and the seriousness of your offending.”

Importance of licensing regime

Nicola Bolton, one of the SIA’s criminal investigation managers, said that this case demonstrates the importance of the licensing regime, which is there to protect the public.

“Dedej falsely claimed to be an SIA Approved Contractor. The SIA Approved Contractor Scheme provides a recognised hallmark of quality within the private security industry. Legitimate Approved Contractors were potentially denied valuable business by the actions of Dedej, who skewed the security market during the run up to the UEFA European Championship.”

Bolton added: “The SIA will continue to seek out and pursue those businesses that illegally promote themselves as being accredited Approved Contractors.”

Dedej’s licence has been suspended. He will likely lose his licence and will not be able to supply private security due to having a criminal record.