From busy retail parks in the Grand Arcade Shopping Centre to the warehouses in Martland Park, Wigan’s business community relies on diversity. However, diversity comes with unique security issues such as retail theft, unauthorised access in industrial estates, and crowd control at local events.
In each of these cases, manned guarding in Wigan forms the first line of defence. Yet, not all guards are equal in terms of capability or legality. To work lawfully and efficiently in the UK, security staff need to be licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
Nevertheless, most local entrepreneurs downplay the significance of SIA licensing or unknowingly hire unlicensed guards, thereby putting themselves at legal risk and compromising their protection.
This blog explains the role of SIA licensing in manned guarding, why it matters for Wigan businesses, and how it safeguards your reputation, operations, and compliance.
Table of Contents
Why SIA Licensing is Essential for Professional Security Services?
As a business owner, facilities manager, or event organiser, you have to understand the legal power and significance of SIA licensing to keep your Wigan-based business legally safe and respected.
Overview of the Security Industry Authority
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) Wigan follows the same national regime that oversees security services throughout England and Wales.
Established in 2001, the SIA is the regulatory authority responsible for licensing the private security sector, ensuring that security operatives meet a minimum level of competence and integrity.
For Wigan businesses, this means that any security guard working on your site must own a valid SIA licence. This is not a matter of choice; it’s a law with severe penalties for non-compliance.
The SIA licensing scheme applies to many security sectors, such as:
- Door supervisors and bouncers
- Security guards (static and mobile)
- CCTV operators (public space surveillance)
- Cash and valuables in transit operatives
- Close protection officers
Legal Requirements for Manned Guarding in Wigan
Under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, it is against the law for any person to be employed as a security guard without the necessary SIA licence. For security guards in Wigan, this entails compulsory training, passing background checks, and continuously upholding compliance with SIA guidelines.
Companies that use unlicensed security staff are in serious trouble, facing unlimited fines and possible imprisonment for company directors. The law allows no exceptions to temporary arrangements or emergency measures; all security operatives must be appropriately licensed from the very beginning.
How SIA Licensing Enhances Professional Security Services?
An SIA license acts as a benchmark for manned guarding services. As an SIA-approved contractor, Region Security Guarding offers tailored manned guarding services across Wigan, ensuring a secure environment for every sector.
Ensuring Quality and Professionalism
SIA-licensed security officers in Wigan do not just provide presence; they represent a level of professionalism and reliability that is unmatched. SIA vetting procedures involve stringent background checks to ensure that licensed guards are reliable and competent.
This is not about cosmetics; it ensures that guards are comprehensively trained in:
- Conflict management
- Crowd control
- Emergency response procedures
- Data protection and client confidentiality
Such high standards create a culture of responsibility and increase the reliability of every professional security firm Wigan.
Protecting Businesses from Liability
Hiring unlicensed guards is not only dangerous, but it is also against the law. SIA licensing keeps businesses safe in several ways:
- Complies with the statutory requirements for security activities under UK legislation.
- Reduces liability risks, as insurance companies tend to require proper licensing for insurance coverage.
- Ensures you are not at risk of negligence claims or damage to your reputation in case any incidents occur under the watch of unqualified guards.
Boosting Public Confidence in Security
Would you feel safe with a security guard whose credentials cannot be checked? SIA-licensed staff provide stakeholders, including employees, customers, and visitors, with assurance that safety is taken seriously and is managed in a legally controlled manner.
An SIA guard maintains a public register, allowing you to quickly verify their guards’ credentials, providing an added measure of accountability.
At Region Security Guarding, our SIA-approved security guards Wigan are highly trained to manage incidents without escalating tensions. By partnering with our SIA guards, you benefit from dual protection against threats, including legal and financial issues.
The Risks of Using Unlicensed Security Guards in Wigan
You might think hiring unlicensed guards is cost-effective, but it only increases the potential losses. Unlicensed security guards often lack rigorous training, which is essential for handling security breaches effectively. Moreover, you will pay penalties and risk the safety concerns of your employees and customers.
Legal Penalties and Business Consequences
Hiring unlicensed security personnel is not a minor offence; it’s a criminal offence. You might face possible consequences like:
- Fines of up to £5,000 per offence.
- Imprisonment for up to six months.
- Revocation of a business’s trading licenses.
In a competitive economy like Wigan’s, such consequences can irreparably harm your reputation, losing client trust forever.
Security Effectiveness and Safety Concerns
Without training and vetting, unlicensed guards may not be familiar with proper use-of-force procedures, which can result in excessive or illegal conduct. Moreover, they may not possess basic emergency response techniques, which can put staff and customers at risk.
For instance, an unlicensed night shift guard at a logistics centre in Pemberton may not be prepared to respond to a break-in attempt, jeopardising cargo of value. Additionally, their hidden criminal histories can create an internal security threat to your business.
Why Choose SIA Licensed Manned Guarding in Wigan?
You might be sceptical about hiring an SIA-licensed manned guarding, thinking it is an expensive investment. However, by employing SIA-approved contractors, you are gaining robust security solutions that adhere to UK security standards.
Local Knowledge and Quick Response
Best-rated manned guarding services utilise local knowledge, where guards are familiar with the area, from the local commercial centres and shopping areas to the specific nature of industrial parks. This local awareness allows guards to react more quickly and pre-empt specific security threats unique to Wigan.
Adherence to UK Security Legislation
SIA licensing is not only about being legally compliant; it’s about working with security providers who invest in SIA compliance and training and uphold the highest standards. When a professional security company in Wigan only uses SIA-approved staff, it ensures:
- Complete compliance with UK law
- Transparency and accountability via public registers of licenses
- Quality assurance on all contracts and industries
Investing in Safe and Legal Security for Your Wigan Business
In today’s evolving landscape, manned guarding in Wigan is far more than deploying someone at the entrance. It is about ensuring that you hire someone who has undergone rigorous training, undergone thorough background checks, and is supported by SIA-approved contractors, such as Region Security Guarding.
At Region Security Guarding, all our security guards hold an SIA license, providing robust security solutions for businesses across Wigan. Hiring unlicensed personnel may be a short-term cost-saving measure, but it will expose your business to long-term risks. That’s why you have to partner with us. We offer robust manned guarding in Wigan to protect your reputation, assets, and customers’ trust.
Protect your premises the right way with Region Security Guarding’s fully SIA licensed manned guarding services in Wigan. Contact us today for a free security consultation and stay compliant while keeping your business safe.
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