SIA organises nationwide operation to disrupt labour exploitation

On Wednesday 18 September, compliance and criminal investigation officers from the SIA led an extensive enforcement and intelligence-gathering operation at 35 separate locations across the UK.

The SIA orchestrated the operation to address concerns regarding tax evasion, fraudulent employment status, breaches of National Minimum Wage legislation, immigration offences and also breaches of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 within the private security industry.

Paul Fullwood, the SIA’s director of inspections and enforcement, said: “This action involved all of our regional teams in a dynamic and co-ordinated effort to disrupt and dissuade those who direct or otherwise facilitate labour exploitation. We are taking the fight to the criminals and thereby supporting legitimate private security business and protecting the public. We would like to thank His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and Home Office Immigration Enforcement for their support in this important work.”

The operation was one of a number of enforcement actions which the SIA has planned across the country under Operation EMPOWER. The latter is intended to tackle the problems associated with labour exploitation.

Hostile environment

Ronnie Megaughin, the SIA’s head of compliance and inspections, observed: “This successful operation highlights our commitment to tackling these harmful and unlawful activities perpetrated by unscrupulous individuals and businesses. For every corrupt and criminal action carried out to maximise profit, there’s the strong likelihood of a victim who’s being deprived of their rights. We will continue to work with industry representatives, law enforcement partners and fellow regulatory agencies to create a hostile environment for these criminals within the private security industry.”

Megaughin concluded: “Operation EMPOWER will be a long-running and focused operation. I encourage anyone with information concerning unlawful activity within the industry to contact us.”

*Anyone who’s concerned about labour exploitation within the private security industry can report it to the SIA and other agencies online

**Read Paul Fullwood’s blog explaining more about Operation EMPOWER