Gateway - The BBC Intranet
Gateway home
myRisks
myRisks Banner
 You are in: myRisks > Security > Property > Guarding Services
Skip to main content

Property
Guarding Services

This section outlines the minimum criteria for selection of contract guarding resources at BBC sites. Further information can be found on the Security Suppliers page.
 
Detailed guidance is available from Head of Corporate Security and is in compliance with the standards for such services listed in BS 7499:2002 (Code of practice for static guarding, and mobile patrol services), BS 7984 (Key Holding & Response Services), and BS 7858:2004 (Security Screening of Individuals Employed in a Security Environment Code of Practice), and regulated by the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
 
Where the contract guarding supplier is a sub-contractor of a BBC property partner, they will comply with the minimum criteria above, and all the necessary legislative requirements and standards, and that there will be no reduction in standards of selection, screening, training and operating procedures.
 
The same requirement applies to any company sub-contracted by the main contractor to cover any short term shortfall in staffing levels, or to provide a manned security function for a special event.
 
The minimum criteria will also apply to an in-house security operation.
 
BBC Workplace is the interface between the BBC and its property partners and monitors the performance of the contracts. BBC Head of Corporate Security may carry out testing of effectiveness of the security function.
 
Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence
 
The Private Security Industry Act 2001 came into force 20th March 2006 when it became mandatory for all contract security guarding personnel to possess a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.
 
Anyone operating as, or supplying unlicensed contracted security guarding personnel in England and Wales without an SIA licence will be committing an offence.
 
Any company or individual either providing or carrying out the following contracted security duties requires a licence:
 
  • guarding premises against unauthorised access or occupation, against outbreaks of disorder or against damage;
  • guarding property against destruction or damage, against being stolen or against being otherwise dishonestly taken or obtained;
  • guarding one or more individuals against assault or against injuries that might be suffered in consequence of the unlawful conduct of others.
  • There are two types of licence issued by the SIA, namely:
  • Front-line licence for contract security guards.
  • Non Front-line licence for managers, supervisors and directors or partners of security companies providing contract security guarding services.
 
The front-line licence is a badge which must be worn where it can be seen when working; the non front-line licence is a letter which must be kept and (if required) produced for inspection by authorised personnel.
 
People who may be granted exemption from SIA licensing is currently under review by the Home Office. Similarly the SIA is also reviewing whether the licensing of security guards should be extended to include in-house guards sometime in the future. At present the legal requirement to possess an SIA license only applies to contracted security guards and not in-house security personnel.
 
Door Supervisors at BBC premises licensed by the Local Authority, such as BBC Clubs and restaurants, do not require an SIA license providing that no member of the public is admitted.
 
The Private Security Industry Act 2001 creates several new criminal offences. The BBC would be committing an offence if the Corporation employed an unlicensed contract guarding company, security guard, or door supervisor.
Search myRisks