Greater protection given for whistleblowing to the SIA

Image courtesy SIA 

The change means that workers who report wrongdoing in the private security industry to the SIA have greater legal protection if they face unfair treatment or dismissal because they make a disclosure to the SIA.

Protected disclosures can cover a range of wrongdoing reported by workers, including reporting unlicensed security, suspected fraudulent activity and other criminal offences, as well as other non-compliance and risks to public safety.

Workers might make a disclosure to the SIA anonymously or confidentially under these new powers. Workers wishing to report concerns can read the SIA’s new whistleblowing guidance on what prescribed person status means for them and how to make a disclosure to us.

The SIA has consulted with and has the support of, Protect, the UK’s whistleblowing charity, about these changes and how to best to ensure whistleblowers feel confident in making disclosures to the SIA.

Michelle Russell, SIA Chief Executive said: "All those who work in private security should feel confident that when they speak up to raise concerns, they are heard and supported. We expect security companies to create an environment where concerns can be raised openly, looked into fairly and issues addressed promptly.

"The SIA cannot carry out its role effectively as the security regulator without the help of people prepared to call out wrongdoing and step forward to provide us with details of what they have seen. Today’s changes mean workers are, quite rightly, protected in law when making whistleblowing disclosures to the SIA.

"By supporting those who speak up, collectively the SIA, employers and those in the private security industry will root out criminality, improve standards and ultimately strengthen public trust in private security and those who work to protect the public and premises across the UK."

David Ward MBE, Founder of City Security Council said: "This is a significant and very welcome step forward for the private security industry, and one I am particularly pleased to see following earlier engagement with the SIA on this issue on behalf of City Security Council. For some time, there has been a clear gap in providing frontline officers and industry professionals with a trusted, protected route to raise concerns directly with their regulator.

"The SIA achieving prescribed person status under the PIDA sends a strong and necessary signal that speaking up is not only supported but fundamental to raising standards, addressing malpractice, and protecting the public."

The SIA’s prescribed status currently covers its work as the regulator of the private security industry. Whistleblowing under Martyn’s Law is planned to be included in the SIA’s prescribed person status when the new law is implemented, expected to be in Spring 2027.

Read the SIA’s whistleblowing guidance on this change to understand more.