Door supervisors in Scotland have less than four weeks left to gain Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence or face up to a £5,000 fine and/or six months in prison.

From 1 November Scotland will join the SIA scheme, which is currently operating in the rest of Great Britain.

Andy Drane, deputy chief executive of the SIA, said: “We have been communicating with the industry in Scotland for over two years about SIA licensing and I am pleased with how proactive Scottish operators have been as we move towards 1 November.

“Regulation will prevent unsuitable people from obtaining positions of trust in the private security industry. Legitimate businesses will benefit as improving standards will drive out the small minority of companies who are tarnishing the sector by using the security industry as a front for illegal activities.”

The SIA licence was introduced in England and Wales on 11 April 2005, which was latter than intended due to initially poor response.

As part of the licence scheme, which 238,000 people are now signed up to, candidates under go a criminal record check and take part in a four-day training programme.

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SIA website >>

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