Former Liverpool security company director prosecuted for working illegally

The case began when Security Industry Authority (SIA) investigators identified that Higham, the director of a new security company (namely Raptor Security Solutions), was in fact unlicensed to practise.

Merseyside Police’s licensing team carried out licensing inspections of venues in the Woolerton area. The SIA’s investigators and police officers checked two venues in Woolerton on 3 February last year. As part of that process, the SIA analysed the venues’ signing-in sheets.

Following further checks, it was revealed that Higham’s door supervisor licence expired on 19 August 2022 and he did not renew it, yet he continued to supply security. Investigators discovered that Higham had also worked illegally at a Woolerton venue on no fewer than 28 occasions between 19 September 2022 and 21 January last year.

The SIA’s investigators attempted to contact Higham about the matter, but there was no response from him.

The SIA’s criminal investigation team then sent a request for information to Higham on 14 April 2023, but he failed to respond. After repeated attempts by the SIA’s investigators to reach Higham, as well as the offer of an interview under caution on 2 June which he failed to attend, the matter was referred to the SIA’s legal department.

Serious breaches

At the prosecution hearing, District Judge Timothy Boswell said to Higham: “I am sentencing you for three offences. The SIA ensures that those who conduct security work are proper people to do so, which thereby ensures the safety of the public and, in some instances, the safeguarding of members of the public who become vulnerable. The breaches you committed are serious and, although events [ie health issues] seem to have overtaken you, you did do this. You didn’t respond to requirements when you should have done. You have pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and for that I give you full credit.”

Mark Chapman, one of the SIA’s criminal investigations managers, said: “This is a case where a former licence holder took a decision that he could continue working in the private security industry without an SIA licence. By doing so, his actions put the public at risk.”

Chapman added: “This is a particularly serious case as Higham worked during the busy Christmas and New Year periods. He has been fined and now also has a criminal record, which will impact any future licence application. I would very much like to take this opportunity to thank Merseyside Police for its efforts to support the SIA with this particular case.”