Security boss barred from industry after failing to check staff licence
A security boss has found himself fined and barred from the industry after failing to do basic checks on his staff.
On September 22, 2020, Muhammad Islam, from Accrington, pleaded guilty to failing to check the SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence of his employee, Sam Gould.
Islam is the security director of Spartan K9.
It is illegal for a door supervisor to work without an SIA licence, as they work in roles that protect the public.
However, Islam hired Gould without checking that he was properly licensed.
Towards the end of last year, the SIA was investigating several cases relating to unlicensed security operatives in Accrington over the Christmas and New Year period.
After receiving a tip off, its investigators carried out a licensing check and found Sam Gould working without a licence at the Nag’s Head, Accrington.
The investigation discovered that Gould was working for Spartan K9, who held the security contract at the venue.
Investigators made a formal request for information from Islam, but he did not respond.
Islam was then invited to an interview in January 2020, at which he admitted that he failed to do due diligence and check whether Gould was licensed. He also admitted that he had no excuse for not providing the information asked for.
Islam pleaded guilty and the court fined him £120 for supplying an unlicensed door supervisor. He was also ordered to pay costs of £200 and a Victim Surcharge of £32.
SIA criminal investigations manager, Pete Easterbrook, said: “There is no excuse for not doing your due diligence.
“The risk taken by Islam cannot be ignored as Sam Gould was interacting with the public.
“Security operatives protect the public and the SIA licence gives assurance that someone is ‘fit and proper’ and capable of protecting the public.
“By failing to check Gould’s licence Islam undermined this public confidence.
“Although Muhammad Islam did not receive a large fine, he can no longer work in the private security industry.”
