Greater Manchester arrest over SIA training fraud

Greater Manchester Police arrested a 37-year-old man on Wednesday 17 December 2025 on suspicion of offences under the Fraud Act 2006, according to the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The investigation focuses on SIA licence‑linked training, the courses people must complete before applying for a security licence in the UK, such as for door supervision or public‑space CCTV work.

After the arrest, SIA Inspections and Enforcement staff searched one residential address and one business premises as part of the ongoing inquiry. The man was later released under investigation, which means he has not been charged at this stage while officers continue to gather evidence and take statements.

The SIA says this action forms part of Operation RESOLUTE, its ongoing work with police to tackle qualification fraud. In a statement on GOV.UK, the SIA’s Director of Inspections and Enforcement, Pete Easterbrook, said they will take robust action against anyone who undermines the integrity of licence‑linked qualifications to protect the public.

Let’s go through why this matters. Licence‑linked training is the foundation of trust in private security. When you see stewards at a match, door supervisors at a venue, or security staff in hospitals and shopping centres, their licence tells you they’ve been trained, assessed and vetted to an agreed national standard. If training is faked, the risk falls on the public, on employers and on the many honest providers who do things properly.

Licence‑linked training means you complete a regulated course with an approved training provider, show valid ID, sit supervised assessments, and receive a certificate from an awarding organisation once you pass. Only then can you apply to the SIA for a licence, which includes further checks. In short, training proves competence; the SIA licence confirms you’re cleared to work.

Qualification fraud, in this context, can include using forged certificates, getting someone else to sit assessments for you, or providers issuing passes without delivering the full course and checks. It can also involve tampering with records or selling ‘guaranteed passes’. These shortcuts put people at risk and can lead to criminal and regulatory action.

What this means if you’re a learner: choose a course from a reputable provider, expect proper ID checks and supervised exams, and be wary of promises that sound too easy. Keep copies of your results and certificate, and don’t be pressured into skipping parts of the course-there shouldn’t be a way around the rules.

What this means if you’re an employer or venue manager: verify staff licences with the SIA, ask new starters about their training and certificates, and record any concerns. A short pre‑employment check protects your organisation, your customers and your team.

If you’re worried about a training centre or you think a certificate isn’t genuine, the SIA asks you to report it. On GOV.UK, look for ‘Find out how you report training malpractice’ to share details securely. You can also read ‘Learn about SIA licence‑linked training’ to understand who does what-training providers, awarding organisations and the SIA all have specific roles.

A final note on media literacy: this is a live investigation and details may change as evidence is reviewed. Avoid naming individuals or sharing rumours. We’ll keep an eye on official updates from the SIA on GOV.UK so you can focus on the practical steps that keep learners, staff and the public safe.