Public Surveillance Operative
- Regulators
-
- Security Industry Authority
- Nations
- United Kingdom
- Sectors
-
- Other
Regulatory or professional bodies
Primary regulator
- Regulatory authority
- Security Industry Authority
- Address
-
PO Box 74957
London
E14 1UG - Phone number
- +44 (0)300 123 9298
Regulation
Regulation summary
Section 3 of the Private Security Act 2001 means you must have a Public Space Surveillance licence for guarding premises, property or people by using CCTV equipment.
You do not usually need an SIA licence if you will be working ‘in-house’. This is when you are employed directly by the company that uses your services.
Regulation type
Reserved activities
You must have a licence where your activities include:
- watching members of the public or identify particular people
- guarding against disorder or protect people from assault (this includes using CCTV to stop these things from happening or provide information about them if they do happen)
- More about regulated activities and titles
- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-if-you-need-an-sia-licence
Qualifications and experience
New professionals
- Routes to qualification
-
You must get a recognised qualification by taking a training course and passing the assessments in order to be granted a licence. Details of the training course and assessments are available online.
Professionals from outside the UK
- Recognition for professionals outside the UK
- All - there are routes to recognition for professionals from all countries
- Summary of routes
-
If you wish to rely on qualifications issued outside the UK you should contact the SIA in the first instance. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.
- More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
- http://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-sia-licence
Registration
- Registration requirements
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Once issued, a licence is valid for three years – no other registration requirements apply. There is a fee for processing all licence applications, including renewals, and is payable whether your licence is granted or refused. The current fee level is £190.
- More about registration
- http://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-sia-licence
Legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
Private Security Industry Act 2001
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2001/12/contents