Unlicensed security operative prosecuted for working illegally

The sentencing follows on from Joseph’s guilty plea for using a cloned Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence multiple times between June 2021 and January 2022 at NHS premises in North London.

The SIA’s investigators were alerted by MNX Security that there was a licence irregularity from a man who was seeking to work for them. Investigators carried out an inspection of a building where security was deployed in January last year. They asked Joseph about the licence in his possession, and he ran off straight away leaving behind his shoes, mobile phone and the cloned licence.

SIA investigators traced the identity of Joseph with assistance from Home Office Immigration Enforcement.

Joseph was invited to participate in an interview under caution involving SIA investigators, but he failed to respond. Joseph’s actions left the SIA with no other option than to prosecute him.

Nicola Bolton, one of the SIA’s criminal investigation managers, stated: “The licensing regime is there to protect the public. Joseph chose to work as an unlicensed security operative at an NHS premises, in turn putting members of the public at risk. I would like to thank MNX Security. The company has been instrumental in this prosecution.”

Bolton added: “The SIA is continuing to combat the use of cloned SIA licences and reminds businesses to conduct thorough due diligence checks on the licences of operatives whom they deploy. The security features embedded in an SIA licence will help employers. They should also request secondary identification documents from the licence holder.”