Derbyshire company director fined for security licence infringement

On Monday (18 October) Mark Longden from the High Peaks area pleaded guilty to a criminal offence at Derby Magistrates' Court for failing to provide information to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) when requested. The court fined Longden £200. He must also pay £500 court costs and a victim surcharge of £34.60. The SIA brought the prosecution, which took place after Longden failed to appear in court in May when a warrant was issued for his arrest. 

Longden, whose SIA licence is currently suspended, is a director of Nighthawk SEC@Solu Ltd. SIA investigators approached him in December 2020 seeking information about a fellow director of the company. He failed to engage with the SIA for several reasons, one being that he'd moved and had failed to advise the SIA of his new address. Informing the SIA of a change of address is a condition of holding an SIA licence. 

When the SIA's investigators located Mr Longden at another address and served a further, formal request for information, he again failed to engage with them. This left the SIA no other option but to prosecute him.  

Jen Hart, one of the SIA's Criminal Investigations Managers said: "Mr Longden has now got a criminal record for committing a criminal act for failing to supply information when we formally asked for it and likewise for breaching his licence conditions."

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Notes to Editors:

1. By law, security operatives working under contract must hold and display a valid SIA licence. Information about SIA enforcement and penalties can be found on our web pages.
2. The offences relating to the Private Security Industry Act (2001) that are mentioned above are as follows:

1 count of Section 9 infringing licensing conditions

2 x counts Section 19 failing to provide information

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 is available online via: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/12/contents 

Further information:

On each licence renewal occasion a person will be informed of the renewal/granting of the licence and will receive a copy of the SIA licensing conditions which every licence holder is required to adhere to, with few exemptions. The conditions stipulate that the licensee must:

1. Wear a licence where it can be seen at all times when engaging in designated licensable activity unless it has been reported it lost or stolen, or it is in our possession (exemption applies in certain roles).  

2. Tell the SIA and the police if their licence is lost or stolen.  

3. Tell the SIA of any convictions, cautions or warnings, or charges for relevant offences whether committed in the UK or abroad.  

4. Tell the SIA of any changes to name and/or address.  

5. Not deface or change the licence in any way (should the licence become damaged, the licensee should advise the SIA and request a replacement).  

6. Not wear a licence that has been defaced or altered in any way.  

7. Produce the licence for inspection on the request of any constable, any member or employee of the SIA or other person authorised by the SIA.  

8. Return the licence to the SIA if the licensee is asked to do so.  

9. Tell the SIA of any change to the licensee's right to remain or work in the UK. 

The licence conditions are also clearly displayed on the SIA website, which is publicly accessible, and through the 'Get Licensed' publication which is also readily available. 

Further information:

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA's main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.

For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit:www.gov.uk/sia. The SIA is also onFacebook (Security Industry Authority)andTwitter (@SIAuk).

Media enquiriesonlyplease contact:

Security Industry Authority

0300 123 9869

media.enquiries@sia.gov.uk