Football stewards exempted from licensing by Home Office ministers

Home Office minister Paul Goggins has announced that football stewards working at Premiership, Coca-Cola Championship and Football League stadiums the length and breadth of the country will not have to qualify for a licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) under the Terms and Conditions of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

Although the Act requires football stewards who search spectators on entry, eject those in breach of ground regulations and work in those areas of grounds where alcohol is sold to be licensed by the SIA, ministers have decided to exempt in-house stewards from regulation by creating an equivalent system building on existing arrangements. Contract stewards are not being exempted, however, and will still require an SIA licence in order to work.

Under the new system, football stewards will:

• be trained to a national standard recognised by the Football Licensing Authority (FLA);
• submit to Criminal Records Bureau checking procedures;
• work in grounds that hold a fully-verified Safety Certificate.

Speaking to SMT about the decision, Goggins commented: “The role of stewards at football grounds is a major factor that helps to keep fans safe. I’m very pleased that we have been able to reach this agreement which helps ensure the safety of football supporters without imposing unnecessary regulation on stewards.”

Goggins is adamant that it was never the intention for the Private Security Industry Act 2001 to cover stewards in areas where the Government feels there is already sufficient legislation in place. “The Government is committed to ensuring public safety while keeping regulation on business to the minimum level that’s deemed necessary,” added Goggins.

The decision is fully supported by minister for sport Richard Caborn and SIA chief executive Andy Drane.

Drane told SMT: “The Security Industry Authority was fully consulted about the decision, and will now work alongside the football authorities to implement it successfully. If they haven’t done so already, contract stewards with a security function should apply for an SIA licence as soon as they possibly can.”