SIA publishes new strategic plan

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The SIA is setting an ambitious course over the next three years with the release of its new strategic plan. The SIA’s plans mark the significant expansion of the SIA’s remit, as it prepares to regulate premises for the first time under Martyn’s Law, alongside its existing responsibilities over private security. This will see the SIA play an enhanced role in the regulation of the UK’s protective security landscape.

The SIA’s purpose, to keep people and places safe and secure by regulating the private security industry and venues across the UK, will be at the forefront of everything it does.

Over the next 3 years the SIA will raise licensing standards, focusing for the first time on the quality of service provision, not simply licensing compliance. The SIA will introduce a new business approval scheme and lay the groundwork for, and implement, Martyn’s Law, which is expected to commence in spring 2027.

The strategic plan aligns with wider government priorities, including:

• preventing and responding to crime and violence
• protecting people in vulnerable situations – this includes the role private security has in safeguarding women and girls in venues and other public places
• deterring and reducing harm from acts of terrorism

SIA Chair Mike Cunningham CBE QPM said: "We have spent time over the last year engaging with a diverse range of UK-wide stakeholders, including those within industry as well as our partner organisations within the protective security sphere, to ensure our plans reflect the public safety realities ahead.

"This strategic plan reflects an important opportunity for change at a scale the SIA has not seen in more than 20 years. We will concentrate on the areas in which we as the regulator can make the most difference to public protection. Success will improve public trust and confidence in private security and in protective security at premises and events as people go about their lives throughout the UK.

"The private security industry and venues themselves need to play their part and take ownership and accountability for their responsibilities and actions if lasting improvements to standards and improved public protection are to be achieved. We will work with them and other stakeholder partners, to amplify the collective impact.

"We are clear on our mandate and strategic direction over this period in regulating people, businesses, and places. We will be confident in setting standards, supportive in seeking compliance and uncompromising in our enforcement."

The SIA has also published its 2026-27 Business Plan. This sets out what the SIA will deliver in the year ahead against the priorities set out in the Strategic Plan.

For further information: SIA Strategic Plan 2026-29 2026 and SIA Business Plan 2026 to 2027.