The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has asked the Government to clarify the status of its members in light of the possibility of a lockdown and the closure of UK schools.

BSIA members cover a wide range of security services, from manpower and key holding services, security guarding personnel, cash couriers, technology centre monitoring and alarm critical management, fire and systems category 1 response, CCTV operators and security systems installation and operators, all of which contribute to the safe and secure day-to-day running of British business as well as public spaces and institutions.

BSIA member companies’ members employ a significant number of personnel in these critical roles and the Association believes these roles fall within the ‘critical workers’ classification.

The BSIA is therefore calling first for clarification on the following:

• Whether workers who have school aged children in mainstream education from security services such as cash couriers and ATM providers, security guarding companies, security systems and CCTV operators can be classed as critical workers and therefore able to operate on a ‘business as usual’ case – meaning their key workers are exempt from their children being sent home.
• Whether security companies who provide services such as cash couriers and ATM providers, security guarding companies, security systems and CCTV operators can be classed as critical services under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and be exempt from any relevant restrictions placed upon transport and travelling, office working and property guarding, remotely and physically.

Mike Reddington, Chief Executive of BSIA, said: “Our members provide security services critical to the UK infrastructure on a day to day basis, and in the current climate, these services become even more essential. It is vital that these organisations continue to have access to their critical teams and infrastructure to support the wider variety of clients, including the Police, schools, banks, supermarkets, pharmacies, and critical supply chains.

“We are therefore calling on the Government to urgently clarify the status of our industry members as critical services and the status of their employees as critical workers.”