Bradford man prosecuted for working as illegal pub security
Haidar Zaheer was prosecuted on 5 January 2023 at Bradford Magistrates' Court for working illegally as security in a city centre pub.
Zaheer pleaded guilty to working without a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. The court fined him £323, plus prosecution costs of £600 and a victim surcharge of £129.
The prosecution follows a joint licensing visit on 2 April 2022 by West Yorkshire Police and Bradford City Council to pubs and clubs in Market Street. They spoke to Haidar Zaheer who appeared to be working at a pub. He initially denied working as a door supervisor. During the discussion Zaheer told a police officer that he was chatting to a colleague who was licensed and wasn’t actually working.
The police officer concluded that Zaheer was working illegally as an unlicensed door supervisor. He verified this by doing a live licence check with the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The police officer confirmed with the other licensed door supervisor that Zaheer was working at the pub that night.
The SIA’s criminal investigation team took over the case. The supervisor at the pub revealed that Haidar Zaheer was working for Worldwide Securities Services Ltd. The director of Worldwide was not licensed to supply security.
The SIA invited Zaheer to an interview under caution, along with his employer. Both men failed to engage with investigators. The SIA formally requested information from Worldwide, which the director failed to provide. This left the SIA no other choice but to prosecute both men and the company. The director of Worldwide failed to appear in court on 5 January alongside Zaheer.
Mark Chapman, one of the SIA’s criminal investigations managers, said:
This is another example of our partnership working improving public safety, in this case with West Yorkshire Police and Bradford City Council. When people visit their local pubs and clubs, they can reasonably expect that they can do so in a safe environment. The SIA’s licensing regime is there to protect the public and Zaheer by his actions sought to undermine it. In working as an unlicensed door supervisor he put the pub’s staff and patrons at risk. He has now been sentenced and has received a criminal conviction as a result.
Notes to editors:
- The offence relating to the Private Security Industry Act 2001 detailed in the news release above is: Section 3 – Working without a licence
Further information:
- The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.
- For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit: www.gov.uk/sia. The SIA is also on LinkedIn Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and Twitter (@SIAuk).