You’ve been arrested. No charge, no court date, maybe not even a formal interview under caution — just a few hours in custody and a release. So, where does that leave your SIA licence? It’s one of the most common questions we hear, and the answer is messier than most people expect.
Here’s the short version: an arrest alone doesn’t automatically cost you your licence. But it can stall your application, pause your training, and in some cases trigger a review while the SIA decides what to do next. Understanding the difference between arrest, charge, and conviction is the difference between a small bump in the road and a career-ending mistake.
For a wider overview of how the system works, our SIA licence guide is a good place to start.
The ‘Fit and Proper Person’ Test, Explained
Every SIA licence decision comes back to one thing: whether you are a fit and proper person to work in private security. That’s the standard set out under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, and it’s the lens the SIA uses for every application, licence renewal, and review.
The test isn’t a tick-box exercise. According to the SIA, decisions take into account the nature of any offence, how long ago it happened, the sentence given, and whether there’s a pattern of behaviour. A single old caution for a minor matter is treated very differently from a recent arrest for violence, dishonesty, or drugs.
Context matters — but so does honesty. The SIA has been clear that failing to declare something it later discovers can be treated as serious in its own right. If you’re unsure how a record might be assessed, read our breakdown of whether you can get an SIA licence with a criminal record.
Arrest vs Charge vs Conviction — Why It Matters
These three words get used interchangeably in pubs and on forums. They are not the same thing in law, and they are definitely not the same thing to the SIA.
- Arrest — police have detained you on suspicion of an offence. No formal accusation has been made.
- Charge — prosecutors have decided there is enough evidence to take you to court. You are formally accused.
- Conviction — a court has found you guilty (or you’ve pleaded guilty).
An arrest with no further action (often called NFA) is not a conviction. It will not appear as a conviction on a DBS check. But it can still surface on an enhanced check as ‘other relevant information’ if the police consider it relevant — and the SIA can ask about it. Our A–Z of SIA licence criminal record checks walks through exactly what the SIA sees and how it weighs it.
What the FOI Guidance Says About Arrests and Training
The Home Office and SIA published guidance on gov.uk under an FOI release covering how arrests can prevent licence-linked training from going ahead. The key point: if you’re arrested for certain offences while you’re partway through your door supervisor training course or another SIA-linked qualification, your training provider may have to pause or withdraw you until the matter is resolved.
This catches a lot of people off guard. Many assume training is separate from the licence decision. It isn’t — the two are linked, and providers have obligations to flag concerns to the SIA. If you’re arrested mid-course, tell your provider before they find out another way.
Suspension vs Revocation — What’s the Difference?
If you already hold an SIA licence and you’re arrested, two things can happen. The SIA sets out its approach in detail, and we’ve summarised it in our piece on suspending and revoking a licence.
Suspension
The SIA can suspend your licence while it gathers information. You cannot work in a licensable role during a suspension. It is not a final decision — it’s a holding position. Suspensions are most often used where the SIA believes there may be a risk to public safety while it investigates.
Revocation or Refusal
This is the final step. Refusal applies to new applicants; revocation applies to existing licence holders. Either way, you’re out of licensable work unless you successfully appeal or reapply once the relevant time has passed. The SIA publishes its Get Licensed criteria setting out which offences and timeframes lead to which outcomes.
What to Do If You’re Arrested While Licensed
Step one: don’t panic, and don’t ghost the SIA. The worst thing you can do is hope it goes away.
- Notify the SIA. Licence conditions require you to report relevant changes in circumstances, including being charged with or convicted of a relevant offence. Check the current licence conditions on the SIA website for the exact wording.
- Tell your employer. Hiding it tends to end badly. Most reputable security firms would rather know upfront.
- Keep your paperwork. Custody records, bail conditions, NFA letters — keep everything. You may need it for a future SIA licence application or appeal.
- Get legal advice early. A solicitor who understands regulatory work will help you frame what to tell the SIA without prejudicing any criminal matter.
What About a Historical Arrest From Years Ago?
If the matter resulted in no further action and it was years ago, it’s unlikely on its own to block a new application — but you should still declare it if the SIA asks. The SIA’s questions are deliberately broad, and honesty is your friend.
If you’re unsure whether something needs declaring, ask the SIA in writing before you submit. A short delay is much better than a refusal for non-disclosure.
The Bottom Line
An arrest without a charge is not the end of your security career. But it’s not nothing either. The SIA’s fit and proper test gives them wide discretion, and how you handle the aftermath — disclosure, paperwork, communication — often matters more than the arrest itself.
If you’re worried about something on your record, get advice before you apply. A few hours with the right adviser can save you a refused application, a wasted training fee, and months of lost work. And if you’ve already acquired your licence and it’s nearing its expiry, make sure to book a refresher training course in time to continue working in the security industry.
