A security company refused accreditation through a government scheme has been ordered to pay more than £25,000 after losing its appeal against the decision.
21st Security Ltd applied for membership of the Security Industry Authority’s Approved Contractor Scheme, but was refused on the grounds that it was not considered fit and proper to hold the accreditation.
The company, based at Monsal Road, Newton Heath in Manchester, supplied security guards to premises in the Greater Manchester area.
Joint agency site visits involving the SIA and Greater Manchester Police, as part of the Salford-based initiative Project Gulf, established that the firm had been deploying unlicensed operatives and individuals without the right to work in the UK.
Information to support the SIA’s decision to refuse the company’s application for SIA Approved Contractor status was provided by a number of enforcement partners including Greater Manchester Police, the Department for Work and Pensions and the UK Border Agency.
After 21st Security’s application was refused, the company lodged an appeal. At City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday [09 Jan], a district judge dismissed this appeal and awarded the SIA £25,269 in costs. 21st Security Ltd did not attend the hearing.
Assistant Director ACS Andrew Shephard said: “This was a complex ACS appeal case, which required the coordination and gathering of evidence from a number of agencies working in partnership. The outcome upholds the SIA’s decision to refuse this company approved contractor status, helping to ensure that the credibility of the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme be maintained.”