The Security Industry Authority has issued some statistics on its licensing operations, intelligence gathering, enforcement actions, and Approved Contractor Scheme.

Individual licensing

By 21 January 2014 there were 382,377 active SIA licences held by 339,940 individuals.

The breakdown of active licences in the licensable sectors is:

• Door Supervision: 221,926 (58%)
• Security Guarding: 93,664 (24%)
• Public Space Surveillance CCTV: 43,149 (11%)
• Close Protection: 13,412 (4%)
• Cash and Valuables in Transit: 9,873 (3%)
• Key Holding: 259 (0.07%)
• Vehicle Immobilisation: 94 (0.02%)

Since the first SIA licence was issued in April 2004 the SIA has issued over 1,000,000 licences.

Year on year the number of licences issued increases. In 2012 there was an exceptional demand as 163,000 licences were issued; this spike was most likely a result of security relating to the Olympic Games.

Licence processing times

As a result of improved licensing systems the SIA is able to process licence applications well above its target.

In 2013, 87% of all licence applications were processed within 25 working days against a target of 80%. Processing times have exceeded this target for the past four years.

Licence regions and demographic

The regions where the most SIA licences are issued are:

• London: 27%
• North West: 13%
• South East: 11%
• North East: 11%

Male licensees make up 92% of the holders, and the majority of licensees are aged 26 to 45 . UK nationals make up 77% of licence holders.

Intelligence

Information is important for the SIA to be successful in maintaining compliance with the law.

Between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013 the SIA received 10,578 intelligence logs.

The most common source of intelligence received was via the SIA website (38%), with other common sources being intelligence received from our enforcement partners (15%), and Crimestoppers (14%).

These statistics exemplify the close working relationship the SIA has developed with the public, the industry, charities and other government enforcement agencies.
source : http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/