Investigation reveals "sham" training courses for gig security guards in UK

The BBC's investigative report into "sham" training programmes to obtain security licenses has raised concerns over gig security in the UK.

An undercover reporter from File on 4 was able to pay extra to complete a mandatory six-day course in just over a day, missing crucial aspects of the programme like first-aid training as a result.

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The undercover reporter was asked to forge time-sheets, miss first aid, conflict management and door supervision courses and take instructions on which boxes to fill in the final exam's answer sheets at SIA approved course providers such as Steps Institution and Caetop College.

Four of the 12 "no pass, no fee" Level 2 Security Industry Authority (SIA) door supervisor training course companies that File on 4 approached illegally offered the undercover journalist shortened courses.

Upon completion of the six-day training course, trainees can apply for an SIA license and work at arenas, night clubs and other venues across the UK subject to to identity and criminal record checks.

Michael Kill, CEO of Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), expressed deep disappointment and concern over the accounts shared by the BBC:

"The door security sector has, for a considerable period, raised questions concerning security training, from the point of facilitation, accessibility and content. The necessary qualifications for obtaining an SIA License to work within the sector have been overshadowed by a small number of unscrupulous training operators.

In light of the compelling evidence presented by the BBC today, I strongly encourage the SIA to reconsider their current process for accrediting training providers. This is a pivotal moment to revamp the system and restore public trust in the sector."

Earlier this year another of the BBC's File on 4 programmes uncovered that some staff at O2 Academy Brixton took bribes to let fans without tickets in to the venue.

Read this next: Whistleblower alleges O2 Brixton Academy guards "regularly" took bribes to allow people into venue

This same venue is where a fatal crowd crush occurred in December last year. Brixton Academy was ordered to shut following the incident, and has just been granted its re-opening under strict conditions which ensure attendees are safeguarded properly.

[via the BBC]

Read the full investigation into the Level 2 SIA door supervisor training courses here

Tibor Heskett is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him here