A useful guide for all SIA licensed security personel.
Whether you are contemplating a position in security or a simply a member of the general public, it is crucial to understand the capabilities and limitations when it comes to stopping, searching and detaining a member of the public.
If you encounter a security guard wearing a uniform resembling that of a police officer, you could mistakenly believe they possess equivalent authority to the police.
By reading this blog, you will discover whether security guards are authorised to physically interact, search, or restrain individuals during the course of their duties.
Do security guards have to identify themselves.
All security guards are required to show their license and badge on their uniform at all times in a visible manner to the general public unless they are a close protection licence holder carrying out close protection duties.
If a security guard misplaces their badge, they should inform the SIA straight away, they can continue working while waiting for a replacement. however, if the SIA finds out that a person is working without displaying a badge, they have the authority to withdraw the license or pursue legal measures against the individual for breaching the license terms.
What Security Guards Can & Can’t Do: A Brief Overview
Security guards are often perceived as having fewer powers than police officers, which is partially true, however, they are mostly akin to regular citizens and do not possess any additional rights.
In the UK, any individual is legally entitled to make a citizen's arrest, although most people never find themselves in a situation where they need to do so, while security guards collaborate with the police to prevent and address criminal activities, their authority is significantly restricted.
Their main course of action is to carry out a citizen's arrest, but this can only be done under specific conditions.
Security guards in the UK are not permitted to carry weapons such as guns, batons, tasers, or pepper spray, unlike law enforcement officers.
The only tool they might have is a pair of handcuffs (providing they have been trained to carry them), which are used to detain a person following a citizen's arrest until the police arrive, and are not considered weapons.
Can Security Guards Detain You?
As previously stated, a security guard has the authority to apprehend you, provided that there is a legitimate cause for doing so.
When making an arrest, they are executing a citizen's arrest, and the procedures they need to adhere to are specified in Section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
They witness or have reasonable grounds to believe you have committed a crime.
They witness or have reasonable grounds to believe you are in the act of committing a crime.
To protect you from causing injury to yourself or others.
To protect property from being damaged by you.
To prevent you from leaving the scene before a police officer arrives to take over responsibility.
Can Security Guards Touch You?
Security guards are authorised to make physical contact with you solely when detaining you. and this should be restricted to what is essential for executing a citizen's arrest and maintaining safety.
Any contact exceeding these boundaries is prohibited.
Can a Security Guard Search You?
If you do not give consent, a security guard is not allowed to search you, your bag, or your car and an unauthorised search or one that has been carried out without permision can result in the items being found being inadmisable as eveidence in any court case.
For instance, if you decline to have your bag searched when entering a club, you may be denied entry.
If a security guard suspects you of hiding stolen items and you refuse a search, the guard cannot proceed with it, but they may detain you until a police officer arrives for a legal search if you persist in refusing.
There are certain circumstances in which a security professional can search your bag or possessions without your consent.
These include:
If a bag or property has been left unattended, the guard may check for potential bomb threats.
If you are unconscious, the guard may search your belongings to identify you or find any medications that could assist in a health crisis.
In Summary
In Summary then, all security guards are required to carry their SIA licence with them and have it on display, when approaching a member of the public they need to introduce themselves and provide their licence if requested as suitable identification.
When detaining a person they must follow section 24a of the police and criminal evidence act (PACE) and only detain a person that they witness or have reasonable grounds to believe you have committed a crime, who are in the act of committing a crime or to protect you from causing injury to yourself or others, to protect property from being damaged by you or to prevent you from leaving the scene before a police officer arrives to take over responsibility.
And lastly when searching a person security guards must first ask permision make sure they have a witness or conduct it in view of a camera and if permision is not given they must NOT search the individual and must instead wait for the police to arrive to carry out the search.
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