Fines handed to Bradford quartet for infringement of Private Security Industry Act 2001

Three security company directors (namely Basit Sultan, Muhammad Aslam and Usman Raees) failed to appear at Bradford Magistrates’ Court on the appointed date. They were each fined £660 in their absence and required to pay costs of £300 in addition to a victim surcharge of £66.

Nathan Salmon of the SIA’s criminal investigation team said that the men will no longer be able to work in the private security industry in the UK. He commented: “It’s a licensing requirement that, when requested to do so, security professionals must provide business information to the SIA within a reasonable time frame. There was no attempt at compliance from any of these individuals, even giving allowances for the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. They will no longer be able to work in the private security industry as their licences will be suspended and they will also have criminal records.” 

Salmon continued: “It’s an ongoing issue in West Yorkshire that some security businesses are not providing information. The SIA has been investigating several security companies in West Yorkshire, all of which appear to be closely linked with each other. We will continue to pursue and take action against those businesses that flout regulation. We’re absolutely determined to root out poor business practices in the private security industry.”

Lack of compliance

Basit Sultan from Oldham was a director of Sintry Facility Management Ltd between 24 January and 4 November 2019. The SIA sought information from Sultan about the company’s dealings with a Bradford construction business. The SIA wrote to Sultan repeatedly in September and October of that year requesting information, but he failed to respond. This lack of compliance with the Private Security Industry Act meant that the SIA brought a prosecution against him.

Muhammad Kamran Aslam from Huddersfield was formerly a director of Bluesec Services Ltd between 22 December 2016 and 6 March 2019. SIA investigators sought information about Bluesec Services Ltd’s dealings with the construction industry. A letter requesting information was sent to both Aslam and Bluesec Services Ltd about the deployment of security officers. The SIA didn’t receive a reply and, therefore, prosecuted Aslam for non-compliance.

Usman Raees from Bradford was also a former director of Bluesec Services Group Ltd between 21 November and 28 November 2017. The SIA sought further information from Raees about the deployment of security officers. SIA investigators wrote to Raees on 16 September 2019 and sent subsequent follow-up letters in October of that same year, but there was no response. Raees was then prosecuted by the SIA.

Filing for liquidation

SIA investigators also sent an initial request for information to door supervisor Junaid Zafar, from Batley, on 20 March last year. Zafar became a director of the Sentinel Security Group Ltd on 28 February 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zafar sought extra time to reply to the SIA, which was granted on 9 April. Zafar failed to supply the information and instead wrote on 29 June 2020 to say that his company had filed for liquidation. The SIA subsequently prosecuted him.

On 22 December, Zafar pleaded guilty to one count of infringement of the Private Security Industry Act and was fined £150. He’s also required to pay court costs of £150 and a victim surcharge of £34. Zafar now has a criminal record for non-compliance with the Act and will no longer be able to work in the UK’s private security industry.