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SIA

Security Industry Authority reduces licence fee again

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The cost of applying for an individual SIA licence for any sector in the regulated private security industry will be reduced to £184 from April 6th this year.

This is the lowest fee ever since licensing was introduced in 2004. The reduction applies to both new applicants and those renewing existing licences.

Licence holders applying for an additional licence after this date will pay 50% of the new reduced fee.

The reduction has been possible due to various efficiency and cost savings the SIA has made. These savings have also enabled the SIA to increase its resourcing for its inspection and enforcement work, bolstering its footprint and visibility across the UK without increasing the licence fee. The SIA has doubled the number of staff working in intelligence, inspections, and criminal investigations.

The £6 reduction is on top of the existing £20 reduction in fees funded from previous historical surpluses under a rebate scheme approved by the Treasury, which will continue until 2026. It also represents a three percent efficiencies savings in the SIA’s operational costs. The SIA has committed to continue to work hard on further costs savings and efficiencies to keep the licence fee as low as possible.

If adjusted at inflation levels since 2004 the current fee level would be £350.

SIA Chief Executive Michelle Russell said: “The licence payers and public rightly expect us to be as efficient and as economic as possible, providing value for money for those we regulate, while delivering on key public safety agendas. We recognise that £6 may feel like a small amount to many, but in the context of the cost-of-living challenges, for some, every pound counts.

“This latest reduction brings the licence fee down to less than it was 19 years ago when licensing was first introduced. We remain committed to regulating the private security industry effectively and efficiently keeping the cost to licence holders as low as possible.”

Do you specialise in SIA Security Training? We want to hear from you!

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Each month on Security Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the security market – and in June we’ll be focussing on SIA Security Training solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help security buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a supplier of SIA Security Training solutions and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Ian Jefferies on i.jefferies@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

Jun – SIA Security Training
Jul – Transit, Screening & Scanning
Aug – Biometrics
Sep – IP/IT Security
Oct – CCTV
Nov – Loss Prevention Solutions
Dec – Drones

New lone worker protection at Old Spitalfields

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Axis Group has started using technology designed to protect lone-workers as an alternative to traditional emergency alarms at the Old Spitalfields Market in London.

Many of the site’s 45+ retail units occupy Grade II listed buildings, so the Pick Protection platform was reconfigured to alert OSM’s on-site concierge about situations and incidents requiring further investigation or attendance by a security officer at the press of a button.

The system also allows employees direct access to the concierge via an App, and further allows PC-based monitoring, identification of an employee’s exact location via a visual tracker map, and two-way communication using dedicated mobile phone numbers. The concierge office is manned by UK Security Industry Authority (SIA) qualified operatives.

Paul Davies, Head of Real Estate and Facilities at OSM Limited, which operates the site, says the system provides fast, intelligent and flexible lone worker support: 

“We are extremely pleased that our retailers and their employees working in the market have been given this additional level of safety. We have worked closely with Axis Group and Pick Protection to ensure we have implemented the system properly. While the market contains a great deal of high-value stock, it is the employees who are our most valuable asset.”