Myself and numerous other commentators have been banging on about the widespread criminality within the UK security industry for several years. This has been the major factor in allowing dubious security companies or shady clients to undercut bona fide, professionally-run companies—by charging rates that are simply too low to allow legal and ethical employment of security officers.

Problems in the UK Security Industry

Many big security companies have gotten caught in the webs of paying their subcontractors or third party labour providers rates that ultimately lead to the widespread exploitation of frontline security employees. This state of affairs often leads to unscrupulous companies prepared to engage with this sort of business, evading taxes, paying unvetted officers cash in hand (off the books), and telling staff that they are self-employed. Many bottom-feeding companies don’t pay holiday pay, rarely provide a uniform, and are happy to turn a blind eye to any working hours restrictions faced by those in the UK—particularly those on a student visa.

Recommended Reading: Learn how to properly conduct background checks on any security professionals you’re interested in hiring.

The Rise of Criminality 

However, it can get worse than that. Wherever there are a few quid to be made, criminals inevitably find a way to get involved. The UK security industry is no different. Organised crime gangs are bringing foreign nationals into the UK from several communities. Student visas are being arranged, and mandatory SIA licence training certificates are being “purchased” from unscrupulous companies. Migrants are being packed into houses of multiple occupancy. Once they obtain their SIA licences, they are sent to work for well below minimum wage. This often happens with the shady security companies mentioned earlier.

Why Security Workers are Stuck

All of these exploitative methods combine to uphold a system that functions, essentially, as modern slavery. It may take years for victims of this kind of exploitation to pay back the gangs that brought them to the UK to work. Of course, these people have had their passports or travel documents taken off them, and there is an ever-present threat of violence or deportation for anyone that dares to report them to the authorities. 

When you find a security officer that can not speak basic English (as is a minimum requirement of all SIA licence testing), and you find out that they are being paid £8.50 per hour, now you know why.

The Role Security Companies Play

It is concerning that some of the largest companies in the UK security industry may have inadvertently or purposefully contributed to this issue. By overlooking certain practices, they have benefited from low-cost labour, which helps maintain shareholder satisfaction and healthy balance sheets.

The lack of a proactive approach on the part of some security companies helps uphold the status quo, overshadowing concerns about crime and the challenges within the industry. However, this situation may not last forever. Efforts to silence whistleblowers and witnesses, such as solicitor’s letters, are unlikely to prevent the truth from emerging. A quick look at social media reveals numerous posts from individuals highlighting illegal pay rates advertised in WhatsApp groups and discussing enforcement initiatives aimed at addressing these issues. 

Addressing Security Industry Concerns

Luckily, not all hope is lost. The main organisation making an effort to address all these problems is the industry regulator, the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The hard work they’re doing now is important to stamp out the criminality and needs to be highlighted.

A while ago I spoke to the SIA’s Director of Inspections and Enforcement, Paul Fullwood, about the state of the industry and what could be done to drive out the criminal element from training and the labour supply chain.

Paul and his team work incredibly hard to investigate the reports that they receive. However, he clarified that the general public actively need to report the issues they find or uncover. If the SIA does not know about a problem, they are not going to be able to investigate it. Point very well taken!

The SIA also has very limited resources—a brief look at the published annual budget for the regulator highlights the constraints it has to operate within. This leads me to some excellent new thinking that may well lead to the successful enforcement outcomes that we have been looking for.

Potential Solutions for the SIA

The budget of the SIA may be limited, but better results may be achieved by working in cooperation with other agencies with more resources.

Underpaying Concerns

One of the big signposts of criminality is pay below the legal minimum wage. The SIA can identify this relatively easily, but when working with HMRC, they can do more to track down rogue security companies and hold them accountable.

Foreign Worker Exploitation

Dealing with Visa abuse and modern day slavery investigations would require the SIA to be tied up in detailed and complex investigations. Working with Immigration, Border Force, and the GLAA, far more work can be done to turn the spotlight on these shady areas.

Accountability Issues

Ofqual has faced challenges in effectively overseeing standards within the mandatory security training sector. Their limited understanding of and engagement within the security industry leaves much to be desired. In response, the SIA has taken a more proactive role, addressing reported malpractice and fraud. As a result, we are beginning to see companies being held accountable and actions being taken to improve the sector.

It seems that the path to industry reform starts with effective collaboration, willingness to do the job, and being in a position to get things done.

How to Play Your Part

As mentioned before, every member of the general public can do their bit. Report any security officer you suspect or know has not received the mandatory SIA licence training to the SIA via its website: https://www.services.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/Report-Illegal-Activity.aspx 

Please also report any examples of illegal pay rates, staff being paid cash in hand, or anybody that attended on the final day of an SIA training course and did the test (with assistance) without attending the rest of the course! Keep reporting these things and don’t get disheartened if you don’t hear about any progress of a report. The SIA won’t comment when an investigation is active or a court case is pending. They are not being awkward. It is the law and they don’t want to jeopardise the outcome of any case.

Working together, we can start to improve the security industry.

Maybe, one day soon, the Home Office will run out of excuses not to protect the public, and will let the SIA take the gloves off. It is what I’m hoping for when I pull a cracker this Christmas. “Dear Home Office, enough now. Do your job. Protect the public and introduce mandatory security company licensing! …and Santa, I’d like a PS5 Pro. Thanks.”