SIA gathers leaders to fight labour exploitation

The Security Industry Authority has brought together senior leaders from the 30 largest private security businesses to discuss labour exploitation.

A similar event took place in December 2024, during which the 20 largest businesses were represented. The March event was intended to  build on work started in December with a wider range of voices from the industry.

The events are part of operation EMPOWER, which involves a dedicated multi-disciplinary team that includes intelligence specialists and criminal investigators working closely with HMRC.

Attendees were asked to consider the top 10 things that are broken or that prevent the UK private security industry from tackling labour exploitation effectively and the top 10 actions that the private security industry or the SIA can do to address labour exploitation across the UK private security industry?

Michelle Russell, SIA chief executive, welcomed the delegates and said: "This meeting comes at an important time for the private security industry and the SIA, where strategic engagement and partnership between the regulator and the industry can deliver positive change. Together we can make a significant difference, strengthening the regulatory regime, rooting out criminality and improving public trust and confidence in the delivery of private security services."

Paul Fullwood, SIA director of inspections and enforcement, said: "We have a shared responsibility to do the right thing. Collaboration and a change in culture is the key to this. The harm to individuals from labour exploitation is unacceptable; for every corrupt and criminal action carried out to maximise profit, there is likely to be a victim who is being deprived of their rights. ​We are very keen to engage, and very glad to have influential voices from the private security industry here with us. The solution to many of these problems can be found in this room - however, we will be engaging further across the UK private security industry."