About the SIA

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry. We are an independent body reporting to the Home Secretary, established in 2003 under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Our mission is to help protect society by collaboratively developing and achieving high standards within the private security industry. Our remit currently covers England, Wales and Scotland. We have two main duties. One is the compulsory licensing of individuals working in specific sectors of the private security industry; the other is to manage the Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security companies against a set of independently assessed criteria.

Responsibility for getting a licence

You, the operative, are responsible for obtaining a licence to work legally within the private security industry. You will be breaking the law if you work without a licence and your employer will be breaking the law if they use unlicensed staff. It is not your employer’s responsibility to get you licensed, but it is their responsibility to ensure that their security staff always have the right licence for the role they ask them to perform.

Penalties for operating without a licence

For those working in a licensable security role or supplying unlicensed security staff, without an SIA licence the penalties are currently as follows;

• summary conviction at a Magistrate’s Court, Sheriff Court or District Court: a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000, or
• (for supplying unlicensed staff only) trial on indictment at Crown Court, High Court of Justiciary or Sheriff and jury trial: an unlimited fine and/or up to five years imprisonment.

Interested parties should seek their own independent legal advice on this matter if they are concerned about their individual liabilities.

Who are door supervisors/CCTV Operators and what do they do?

Door supervisors, sometimes known as door stewards or bouncers, are responsible for the security of customers and staff in pubs, bars and nightclubs, and other licensed premises and public events. They keep order and make sure that people are safe. One of their main duties is to check the suitability of people coming into the venue. They may check that the person is not underage and that they are suitably dressed, and they may search people for harmful objects such as drugs or weapons. They may refuse entry to anyone they consider unsuitable. Their other duties may include:

• managing crowds to avoid crushing and queue jumping
• collecting tickets from people coming in
• patrolling inside and outside the venue, watching people's behaviour and dealing with conflict
• restraining and escorting people out of the venue, if necessary
• dealing with emergencies
• supervising people as they leave the building
• co-operating with the police, first aiders and management.

Door supervisors usually work in teams of two or more, depending on the size of the venue. They may keep in contact with each other by using radio equipment.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.
Door supervisors are usually paid on an hourly basis.
Door supervisors earn around £7 to £12 per hour; some earn more, depending on the venue and location.
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