Training on the use of force to remove trespassers
Updated 23 September 2021
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1. Request
May I request documents specific to the Security Industry Authority’s view on the removal of a tresspasser by a regulated door supervisor.
These documents should include or may include:
- the SIA’s views of the authority for regulated individuals to remove civil tresspassers
- authorised procedures for doing so
- information regarding the validity of the removal of a person from licensed and non-licensed premises
- any documents on what is the lawful authority for the removal of civil tresspassers by regulated door supervisors from licensed and non-licensed premises
1.1 Reasons for the request
I am trying to ascertain the Security Industry Authority’s policy and view on the lawful authority to remove such individuals, as taught by training providers. I am aware you may have a framework for this as you would need to inform training providers on what to teach applicants who are budding door supervisors.
I am hoping for the following to be answered: what is the lawful authority for the removal of civil tresspassers by regulated door supervisors from licensed and non-licensed premises?
2. Response
I can confirm that we do hold the information you have requested.
Within our indicative content of both common and door supervisor unit, the removal of civil trespassers is directly referred to:
- common unit (2.1): “Force can be used to eject a trespasser from private premises”
- door supervisor unit (7.3): “Anyone refusing to leave the premises when asked becomes a trespasser, and can be lawfully ejected from the premises using only such force as is necessary (Scotland – using only such force which is ‘reasonable’)”
In addition, within the common and door supervisor unit there are criteria in support of the removal of trespassers:
- common unit (3): “Understand the importance of safe working practices to comply with legal requirements” – this identifies the responsibilities of a security operative to think about before using any means of force.
- common unit (5): “Understand emergencies and the importance of emergency procedures” – this covers the support of the above, including risk factors of harm and how to identify actions in event of personal injury
- common unit (6): “Understand the importance of communication skills and customer care” - this also supports the above by enabling the operative to communicate sufficiently when required
- door supervisor Unit (6): “Understand incident recording and crime scene preservation relevant to the role of a door supervisor” (in particular, (6.6) - “Identify incidents when a door supervisor should call the police”) - this is in support of when a door supervisor should call for additional support
In addition we also have training that ensures door supervisors are able to safely escort people.
[Reference: FOI 0233]