A security boss has been sentenced for providing unlicensed security guards to a prestigious housing development in Prestbury, Cheshire.
Gary Ford (42) of Westall Court, Buxton, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty on 11 November to three security offences. On 17 November, Ford was sentenced at Macclesfield Magistrates’ Court to a 12 month community order and a requirement that he completes 300 hours of unpaid work. The court awarded the Security Industry Authority £10,000 in costs, to be paid at £100 a week.
In May 2013, SIA investigators visited the site of two discreet luxury houses in Prestbury, where Ford’s company 4D Security provided private security. SIA investigators found an unlicensed security guard who had been deployed by Ford. SIA investigators again visited the site on 24 November 2013, and found a different unlicensed security guard working on the site. The man was not licensed to conduct manned guarding activities, although he did hold an SIA CCTV licence.
Following the visits to Prestbury, the SIA made requests to 4D Security for information under Section 19 of the Private Security Industry Act. Mr Ford failed to respond.
Nathan Salmon, Investigations Manager said:
“This is a positive result for the SIA, demonstrating that both unlicensed and incorrectly licensed, security operatives cannot be ‘hidden’ at smaller, discreet security sites. Mr Ford’s business model paid scant regard to security regulations, the SIA twice found his operatives unlicensed in the role being undertaken.
“The owners of the houses in Prestbury paid Ford to provide private security. They should have been safe in the knowledge that the people guarding their property were trained, qualified, and held the appropriate SIA licences.
“The court considered the expense in bringing this prosecution, which is borne by correctly licensed operatives, and this has been reflected in the costs awarded to the SIA.”