A security company has been fined £4,000 and must pay back more than £42,000 in proceeds of crime after it repeatedly deployed unlicensed security services to several high-profile sites across Scotland.
Glasgow-based SPS Doorguard Ltd knowingly provided several clients with unlicensed security guards to protect properties, including one near the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021.
After an investigation by the SIA, Glasgow Sheriff Court ruled that the company had received a criminal benefit of £42,039. This will now be seized using a court-issued confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Glasgow Sheriff Court fined the company £4,000 at the sentencing on 8 January 2025, which is in addition to the £42,039 to be seized. The company must also pay a £175 victim surcharge.
Nicola Bolton, Criminal Investigations Manager at the SIA, said:
An important part of keeping the public safe is ensuring that people working in the private security industry are properly licensed. By working illegally, SPS Doorguard Ltd profited significantly at the expense of those they were employed to protect. They are now facing the consequences.
This court order will help to redress the imbalance that operating illegally has on the private security industry. It demonstrates that crime does not pay.
SPS Doorguard LTD pleaded guilty on 4 July and were sentenced on 8 January 2025 at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Notes to editors
By law, security operatives working under contract must hold and display a valid SIA licence. Information about SIA enforcement and penalties can be found on GOV.UK/SIA.
The offence relating to the Fraud Act 2006 that is mentioned above is:
- Section 7 – supplying an article for use in fraud
Further information
The SIA is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).
For further information about the SIA or to sign up for email updates visit www.gov.uk/sia. We also post articles and updates on WordPress. The SIA is on LinkedIn, Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and X (@SIAuk).
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