SIA steps up enforcement as thousands of intelligence reports trigger regulatory action

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) received more than 2,500 intelligence reports and took hundreds of licensing actions in just three months, according to its latest compliance and enforcement quarterly report, highlighting the scale of its regulatory work to protect the public and maintain standards across the private security sector.

Covering the period from April to June 2026, the report provides new insight into how the regulator uses licensing decisions, inspections, warnings, investigations and prosecutions to address risks and secure compliance within the industry. The SIA says its regulatory approach is focused on protecting the public and ensuring that only individuals who are “fit and proper” can work in licensable security roles.

The report comes as the number of SIA licence holders exceeds 447,500 across the UK. Before granting a licence, the regulator carries out checks on applicants’ identity, qualifications, criminal record and right to work, alongside other suitability assessments.

During the quarter, the SIA refused 475 licence applications, suspended 378 licences and revoked 1,553 licences. The regulator said suspensions are used as an immediate protective measure where there are concerns about public safety or where investigations are ongoing, while revocations may follow serious criminal offences, loss of the right to work in the UK or breaches of licensing requirements.

Intelligence gathering remains a key part of the regulator’s work. Between April and June, the SIA received 2,578 intelligence reports from members of the public, partner agencies and its own enforcement activity. Around 60 per cent contained sufficient information to support regulatory action, with 997 reports substantiated and progressed further.

The report also marks a significant development in the regulator’s role. Since June 2026, the SIA has been a prescribed body for whistleblowing, giving legal protections to workers who report suspected wrongdoing in the public interest. During the reporting period, the regulator received 12 whistleblowing reports.

Enforcement activity extended beyond individual licence holders. The SIA opened 230 intervention cases during the quarter, covering issues such as non-compliance with the Private Security Industry Act, concerns about licence holders’ conduct and risks identified through intelligence-led investigations.

Training and qualification standards also remained a priority. Through Operation RESOLUTE, the SIA continued its efforts to tackle malpractice and fraud in licence-linked training. The regulator carried out 63 unannounced visits to training centres during the quarter, identifying 80 improvement requirements and imposing restrictions on learner registrations at 11 centres while concerns were investigated.

In addition, the SIA undertook 1,054 licence inspections, reflecting its continued use of proactive compliance activity to monitor standards across the sector.