SIA reaffirms stance against vigilante behaviour by licence holders

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has reiterated its firm opposition to vigilante activity by licensed security professionals, warning that such conduct could lead to licence suspension or revocation—even in the absence of criminal charges.

In updated guidance published on 22 August 2025, the regulator made clear that SIA licence holders must operate strictly within the law and adhere to the behavioural standards set out in their training. The statement follows growing public concern over the actions of self-appointed groups such as Online Child Abuse Activist Groups (OCAGs), sometimes referred to as ‘paedophile hunters’.

“Vigilantism is law enforcement undertaken without legal authority,” the SIA said. “Holding an SIA licence does not give someone additional powers to detain or arrest someone. An SIA licence holder has the same legal powers as a member of the public. They are not the police.”

The authority emphasised that using force to detain someone could constitute assault unless the licence holder can demonstrate that the force was lawful in the circumstances. It warned that any licence holder found guilty of a criminal offence may face suspension or revocation of their licence.

However, the SIA also stated that it may take disciplinary action even if no criminal charges are brought. Actions that breach the regulator’s ‘fit and proper’ standards or bring the private security industry into disrepute could still result in licence withdrawal.

The update serves as a reminder of the limits of authority granted to private security professionals and the importance of maintaining public trust in the sector. The SIA continues to monitor conduct closely and encourages licence holders to report concerns through appropriate legal channels rather than taking matters into their own hands.