Around 447,500 SIA-licensed security professionals work in the UK. Most hold a Door Supervisor licence, allowing them to work at licensed premises such as pubs, bars and clubs.
Security professionals often work under scrutiny in high-pressure, unpredictable and increasingly violent situations. They must make rapid decisions where delays could endanger staff, the public or the venue. Physical intervention may therefore be necessary to protect themselves or others and maintain safety. B P Collins’ criminal team explores when an incident turns into a legal issue and what security professionals should consider.
On a typical Friday or Saturday night, thousands of people who have consumed more alcohol than they can handle are refused entry to or removed from bars and clubs. Most incidents end without serious difficulty, but if an ejection escalates and someone is injured, a routine intervention can quickly lead to a criminal complaint and police investigation. The security professional may then have to justify decisions made in seconds against incomplete CCTV, conflicting witness accounts and evidence gathered afterwards.
Investigations can also arise from the use of force, a citizen’s arrest, alleged unlawful detention, searching individuals, and the handling of conflict. Security professionals commonly face complaints of excessive or unnecessary force, sometimes based on incomplete, exaggerated or false accounts. Even if they believe they acted lawfully and proportionately, an allegation may still result in arrest, a voluntary interview, a lengthy investigation or criminal proceedings.
After an incident, it is important to understand your legal position and receive proper support. Your employer may not always provide that reassurance. However, independent legal advice can explain the allegations and investigation process and help you protect your position from the outset.
Early legal advice can help an investigation conclude without further action, rather than becoming a prolonged process followed by a court date that may be up to two years away. The uncertainty can seriously affect your mental health and daily life, while suspension, lost shifts or damage to your SIA licence or employment may also cause significant financial hardship.
Security professionals sometimes provide written statements before fully considering the sequence of events or seeking legal advice. Discussing the incident with colleagues may create unintended inconsistencies, while attending a voluntary police interview without understanding that their answers may later be used as evidence can carry further risk. These early decisions may shape the investigation and be difficult to correct.
If you are a security professional involved in an incident under police investigation, obtaining specialist legal advice promptly can make a significant difference. Early advice can clarify your rights and responsibilities, help preserve evidence and prepare an accurate account, and ensure you understand the implications of any police interview.
B P Collins LLP provides security professionals with clear, practical and specialist criminal defence advice and representation. We can assist from the outset of a police investigation, including before a voluntary interview or after an arrest, and represent you as the matter progresses.
Please contact Jonothan Moss or our criminal team at enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk or call 01753 889995 for advice tailored to your circumstances and the allegations against you.
