On 21 September, as part of Operation Seahog, Security Industry Authority (SIA) investigators working closely alongside Merseyside Police and other law enforcement partners targeted rogue security companies, unlicensed security activity and links to serious and organised crime in a series of dawn raids.

No less than 22 addresses in the Merseyside region were swooped on. 14 arrests were then made for several offences relating to drugs, firearms, theft and vehicle crime. A number of items were seized, including 1.5 kilos of a substance believed to be cocaine, £10,000 in cash, a Section 5 firearm, computer equipment, financial documents and what was said to be “a large quantity” of stolen goods.

During the afternoon, SIA investigators supported Merseyside Police officers and representatives from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Her Majesty’s Immigration Service in visits to security offices at over 80 construction company sites throughout the region. Checks were carried out to ensure that contractors providing security at the sites were legitimate and only supplying SIA-licensed security operatives.

These visits resulted in 43 individuals being issued with summons for working without an SIA licence. A further nine people were arrested for immigration offences, and 14 reported for possible DWP-related crimes.

Merseyside Police chief superintendent Andy Cooke told SMT: “We are not prepared to allow rogue companies to gain a foothold in Merseyside. Letters have been sent out warning all security firms they must be SIA Approved Contractors. They have been given a short period to make sure their house is in order, and those that then continue to ignore the rules of engagement will be ‘attacked’ from all angles.”

Source

SMT