SIA leads “nationwide blitz” on suspected criminal activity

Two people were arrested by HOIE officers for overstaying their visas during the joint investigation conducted in Yeovil and Ilkeston. One individual in Ilkeston was also cautioned under Section 22 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

The synchronised and unannounced visits were aimed at disrupting potential organised criminal activity linked to security company staff working at construction sites throughout the country, from the South Coast all the way up to the North West.  

The extensive enforcement and intelligence-gathering operation was devised after the SIA’s Intelligence Team received allegations of serious criminal activity, including SIA licence fraud, organised immigration crime, labour exploitation and money laundering.

Combined efforts  

Pete Easterbrook, head of criminal enforcement at the SIA said: “This operation was the result of intelligence originating from within the private security industry, which was developed and analysed by our Intelligence Team and involved collaboration by our Criminal Enforcement and Compliance and Inspections Teams. Investigators from the SIA and the Home Office’s immigration operation worked together to plan and execute intelligence-led enforcement action up and down the country.”

Easterbrook continued: “Thanks to these combined efforts, we’ve struck a significant blow against those seeking to use the private security industry as a vehicle for criminality, including the exploitation of vulnerable people.”

According to Easterbrook: “Operations like this are vital in our mission to protect the public by ensuring that those who seek to seriously undermine the regulatory regime are brought to justice. Our message is clear. There is no place for criminality within the UK’s private security industry and we will take action to disrupt criminal operations and bring offenders to justice.”

In conclusion, Easterbrook noted: “We are resolute in our efforts to safeguard members of the public and legitimate security operatives from these illegal practices. Where we receive credible intelligence of illegal activity, we have the will and capability to act decisively and take robust action.”

Targeted locations  

Investigators targeted locations in Yorkshire, Somerset, Norfolk, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, East and West Sussex, Berkshire and Lancashire.

Eddy Montgomery, director of enforcement, compliance and crime at the Home Office, explained: “Exploitation of illegal workers within the UK’s construction industry is on the rise, with rogue employers showing complete disregard for the safety and Human Rights of legal foreign workers who contribute significantly to this sector.”  

Montgomery went on to comment: “Our Immigration Enforcement officers are working closely with other Government agencies to intensify efforts aimed at tackling illegal working in the construction industry as part of a broad series of operations across multiple sectors.”  

He added: “I would like to thank the Security Industry Authority for its effective collaboration in cracking down on fraudulent employers who are violating laws, impacting public finances and exploiting vulnerable people for financial gain.”

Security director and employee convicted

Two men working in security on Merseyside who breached SIA regulations have been handed Community Orders.

Authorities presiding at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court convicted Sean Dunn, the director of SD Security Recruitment Ltd, of breaking licensing conditions and failing to respond to a request for information from the security regulator. Dunn’s employee Scott Heyes was convicted after engaging in licensable conduct without a licence for doing so.

The case stemmed from an incident on 23 December 2023, when Dunn provided staff for an event at a venue in Heswall, Merseyside. During an altercation at the event, Heyes intervened and ejected those involved.

Heyes was employed as a steward and had not been trained on physical intervention and how to responsibly ensure the safety of himself and others. These actions are classified as licensable conduct for which he was not licensed. Merseyside Police informed the SIA who launched an investigation.

Liverpool Magistrates’ Court sentenced Scott Heyes on 2 October. He received a 12-month Community Order, 200 hours of unpaid work and 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. He must also pay a £114 victim surcharge and prosecution costs amounting to £600.

On 7 November, Sean Dunn was sentenced to a Community Order for a period of six weeks with an electronic monitored curfew requirement. This requires him to remain indoors between 8.00 pm and 7.00 am. He was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and prosecution costs totalling £500. Dunn’s SIA door supervisor licence has now been revoked.

Placed in danger

Mark Chapman, criminal investigations manager at the SIA, observed: “Properly licensed door supervisors acting in accordance with their training are equipped to deal with and de-escalate potentially volatile situations and keep members of the public safe. When unlicensed individuals engage in activities like this, including ejecting individuals from a venue, they put themselves and others in danger.”

Chapman concluded: “We rightly expect everyone in the private security industry, including security company directors, to ensure that all operatives adhere to these rules. As these linked prosecutions demonstrate, the SIA will continue to take robust action to enforce our regulations and protect the public. This includes prosecuting any failure to provide relevant information when we lawfully request it under our powers.”