An Oxford based security director abused his company’s ACS status by allowing it to be used by another company in order to secure security contracts in Scotland.
Hidayat Khan, 38, is the director of Oxon Securities Home Counties UK Ltd (Oxon), which held the Approved Contractor Scheme status, an accreditation needed to secure government contracts in Scotland.
During interviews with Security Industry Authority investigators, Khan claimed Oxon had a Scotland office where information on security contracts in the Glasgow region were held. When asked for information on these contracts, Khan failed to provide a full response. Later Khan admitted providing false information to the SIA.
Once the offences occurred, Khan claimed that he had no control over the operations in Scotland as Oxon’s name was being used by a third party business. Wider enquires are on-going in relation to this.
Khan stated that his company was used as a front as it was reputable and held the ACS accreditation. However, he provided no defence as to why he didn’t inform the SIA or the police of this approach even though he had several opportunities to do so.
Last week [30 April], Khan pleaded guilty, at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, to four counts of making false statements to the SIA contrary to section 22 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. He was fined a total of £3,600 and ordered to pay costs of £12,000 and a victim surcharge of £120.
The SIA is currently reviewing Oxon’s ACS status.
Head of investigation Nathan Salmon said:
“The SIA expects ACS companies to provide information about approaches by other companies attempting to circumvent procurement obligations, in order to protect the integrity of the scheme.
“Organisations seek to target businesses with the ACS accreditation as this standard is a hallmark of quality for security buyers, and opens wider contractual opportunities, especially in Scotland.
“Mr Khan did not inform the SIA that his company was being used in this manner, and he was allowing his company name to be used as a front for an organisation that would have otherwise been unable to procure security contracts where approved contractor status is a requirement.
“This prosecution highlights that abusing the ACS will not be tolerated within the private security industry, and has been fully supported through the courts. This case should act as a warning to other companies to engage with the SIA or the police rather than to enter into a relationship with dubious parties.”