Security staff responding to confirmed alarms without police support
Published 30 August 2024
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Request
Hello, I’m a lone worker. I respond to alarms in schools and businesses. I only work night shifts.
My question is: is my company allowed to send me to a confirmed alarm on my own with no police presence?
I was told no-one is allowed to go to a confirmed alarm on their own based on SIA guidelines and I’d just like some clarification on this because the next time my supervisor wants to send me to a confirmed alarm on my own, I want to refuse with confidence.
Response
I can confirm that the SIA does not hold this information.
Please be advised that the Freedom of Information Act (the Act) gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. The Act does not require us to create new information to respond to a request, or to give judgement or opinion on subject matters within our remit or on information that is not already recorded. As you are asking for an opinion, your request falls outside the scope of the Act.
Section 1 of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 lays out the statutory functions of the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The SIA is the regulator of the private security industry in the UK; however, the regulatory remit of the SIA does not extend to prescribing working conditions such as those you raise in your request. The provision of a safe working environment is principally dealt with in the UK by the Health and Safety Executive. Advice on lone working is available from the Health and Safety Executive on their website at HSE: Information about health and safety at work.
[Ref: FOI 0522]