SIA and Met Police in London-wide crackdown

The Security Industry Authority supported law enforcement partners on Friday night [07 Dec] as part of a Metropolitan Police crackdown. Operation Condor is aimed at combating illegal activity in the night time economy across all London boroughs.

This is the latest police operation targeting those who flout licensing rules, including shops, pubs, clubs and unlicensed mini cabs.

SIA investigators were on the ground or in control rooms to support police teams working in Hackney, Havering, Redbridge and Sutton.

In total, 20 pubs, clubs and bars were visited with 82 individuals checked. Whilst the majority of those inspected were correctly SIA-licensed, a small number of offences were found.

At Kosho Bar in Romford, the police found a man wanted on warrant for a serious assault. At a bar in Sutton, there are concerns regarding a door supervisor who may have been working unlicensed. Investigators will meet with the security supplier that holds the contract at the venue. At Elbow Room in Shoreditch, two door supervisors were issued with warnings for breaking SIA licence conditions, because they failed to notify the SIA of a change of their address.

Final figures breakdown as follows:

• In Hackney, 3 venues were visited.  9 individuals inspected. Two warnings issued.
• In Havering, 3 venues were visited. 16 individuals inspected. One offence found.
• In Redbridge, 7 venues were visited. 32 individuals inspected. No offences were found.
• In Sutton, 7 venues were visited. 25 individuals inspected. One offence was found.

Investigators are liaising with police in Southwark regarding a doorman found working with a revoked licence.

Police in Greenwich carried out checks as part of Op Condor with no issues found.

The SIA and the police are now carrying out on-going enquiries regarding all the issues found and prosecutions may follow.

Dave Humphries, SIA Director Compliance, Intelligence and Communication said: “I’m pleased with the overall levels of compliance found as part of Operation Condor. The majority of security staff were deployed lawfully and we found only small pockets of non-compliance. The Met Police, like the SIA, want to ensure that London’s nightlife is such that the public can feel safe, whilst enjoying themselves in our city.

“I would like to remind businesses that they may only deploy operatives in accordance with the law.  Buyers of security services also need to verify that their security providers are operating within the law. Using unlicensed security operatives can damage your business reputation and potentially leave you vulnerable to criminal charges.”

For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk. The SIA is also on Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and Twitter (SIAuk).