Press release

SIA awards £17,600 from its grant for good causes to 2 youth enterprises

Today (11 April 2023) the Security Industry Authority (SIA) announced the award of its 2022 to 2023 grant for good causes.

The SIA’s grant for good causes is funded from ill-gotten cash (proceeds of crime) confiscated from individuals convicted of criminal offences within the private security industry.

The beneficiaries for the grants are Young Enterprise and 1000 Black Boys. The two enterprises have different roles but are designed to improve the lives of children and young people.

The SIA’s grant for good causes’ panel granted:

Pete Easterbrook, Head of Criminal Enforcement and Chair of the SIA grants panel said:

Put simply if people commit an offence(s) in the private security industry; the SIA will find them, prosecute them and where significant financial benefit has been reached by the offender, will use its financial investigation powers to pursue them for reparations under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA).

In the 2022 to 2023 financial year we were awarded £17,599.16 confiscated from people who committed crimes in the private security industry. The grant for good causes demonstrates that crime really doesn’t pay. We are investing the money into two worthy causes who are committed to supporting young people.

Organisations are eligible to apply if they are a registered charity or not for profit organisations and are able to clearly demonstrate the positive impact of the grant to public protection.

You can read the guidance about the SIA grant for good causes here.

Notes to editors:

  • The SIA has held powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) since 2015. This allows the SIA to undertake financial investigations and seek confiscation orders against companies and individuals who make a profit from criminal activity. POCA is a law that ensures any money made from criminal activity can be recovered.
  • Since 2017 the SIA has been pursuing financial recovery from convicted criminals following successful SIA prosecutions. Since that time the SIA has been in receipt of monies recovered from proceeds of crime confiscation orders. If successful, the SIA receives a percentage of the confiscated money, and it is required to use it by either funding good causes or further SIA financial investigations within a time scale.
  • Previous beneficiaries of the SIA’s grant for good causes include:
    • The Prince’s Trust Northern Ireland – Get into Security initiative
    • EY Foundation’s Secure Futures initiative
    • The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals Charitable Trust COVID-19 crisis fund
    • ProtectED
    • PTSD Resolution
    • Argus Community Interest Company
    • Global Vision Initiative
    • Samson Academy for its SIA Training and Certificate Courses
    • Banana Enterprise Network
    • COVID Grant

Further information:

  • Young Enterprise (charity number: 313697) – Young Enterprise empowers young people to harness their personal and business skills. We make the connection between school and the world of work, enabling young people to develop the knowledge and attitudes they need to succeed. More than 214,000 young people from across England and Wales have participated in a Young Enterprise learning experience this year supported by around 6,000 volunteers.
  • 1000 Black Boys CIC (company number 12779900) – 71% of teenagers killed in London in 2018 were black boys (15 out of 21).
    • In 2019 it was 76% (19 out of 25)
    • In 2020 it was 65% (11 out of 17)
    • In 2021 it was 63% (19 out of 20)
    • In 2022 it was 71% (10 out of 14)
  • 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).

Updates to this page

Published 11 April 2023