You will need an SIA licence if the work you will be doing is part of a ‘contract for services’ and involves a ‘licensable activity’.
The following job activities are all licensable:
- manned guarding
- key holding
- vehicle immobilisation (Northern Ireland only)
- Manned guarding
- Manned guarding involves the guarding of people, property or premises.
In this context:
- ‘property’ usually means objects that belong to a person or business
- ‘premises’ means buildings or land that belong to a person or business
There are 5 types of manned guarding licence. They are all front line licences.
Cash and valuables in transit
You need a cash and valuables in transit licence if you guard property against damage or theft and you transport it in a vehicle designed for secure transportation.
Close protection
You need a close protection licence if you guard people against physical assault or injury.
This licence also allows you to use closed circuit video surveillance for either or both of the following purposes:
- to guard premises against unauthorised access
- to guard property against damage or theft
This licence also allows you to perform the licensable activity of a door supervisor and a security guard.
Door supervision
You need a door supervisor licence if you guard licensed premises against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour.
This includes using closed circuit video surveillance if it is for either or both of the following purposes:
- to guard premises against unauthorised access
- to guard property against damage or theft
‘Licensed premises’ means a venue that has a licence to do one or both of the following:
- sell alcohol for consumption on the premises
- provide regulated entertainment (for example: boxing, wrestling or film screenings)
This licence also allows you to perform the licensable activity of a security guard.
Public space surveillance (CCTV)
You need a public space surveillance (CCTV) licence if you use closed circuit video surveillance to identify people or monitor their activities for either or both of the following purposes:
- to guard premises against disorder or damage.
- to guard people against being injured or assaulted because of unlawful conduct by others.
This includes using closed circuit video surveillance:
- to stop these things from happening
- to provide information about them if they do happen, including by viewing recorded footage.
This licence also allows you to use closed circuit video surveillance for either or both of the following purposes:
- to guard premises against unauthorised access
- to guard property against damage or theft
Security guarding
You need a security guard licence to guard premises or property against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour.
This includes using closed circuit video surveillance if it is for either or both of the following purposes:
- to guard premises against unauthorised access
- to guard property against damage or theft
Key holding
The key holding licence is a front line licence.
You need a key holding licence for security work that involves keeping, or controlling access to, any key or device for operating a lock.
Vehicle immobilisation
The vehicle immobiliser licence is a front line licence for security operatives working in Northern Ireland only.
You need a vehicle immobiliser licence for work that involves preventing or restricting the movement of a vehicle, or removing it, and then charging the owner to release it. This activity may involve the use of a wheel clamp.