GMB, the union for workers in the security industry, reacted with shock to allegations that will be aired tonight on BBC One’s Inside Out London programme at 19.30 that thousands of licensed security guards could be working in the UK fraudulently after buying fake Security Industry Association licences (SIA) and training for cash.

Jude Brimble, GMB National Officer for the security industry said, “If the BBC’s investigation proved to be correct it raises very serious concerns about the security of some of the UK’s most sensitive installations and institutions let alone the safety of individual security guards. Operating in the security industry with a fraudulent SIA license is a very serious issue that not only undermines the professionalism of the security industry but potentially puts the UK public at risk.

GMB has long campaigned for rouge operators and practices to be driven out of the security industry, and since the inception of licensing and regulation much progress has been made on this front.  No doubt the SIA will use all its powers to fully investigate and take the appropriate action, including reporting any criminal findings the matter to the police.”