Understanding The Steward Exemption

Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) and Security Industry Authority (SIA) combined logos The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulator of the UK’s private security industry. Under the Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) 2001, some security roles undertaken in sports grounds in England and Wales are exempt from SIA licensing. However, the exemption only applies in certain circumstances, and it may not always be clear whether an SIA licence is needed.

The flowchart below, available for download from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) here, will help clarify when a SIA licence is needed at a sports ground.

SIA steward exemption flowchart

Footnotes

* Sports Ground as defined in the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987

** Stewards’ role and duties at a sports ground – see Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide) and Supplementary Guidance 03: Event Safety Management

Seldex. Proven air disinfection - destroys 99.99% of ALL airborne viruses including Covid 19.

Steward Exemption Scenarios

To help clarify when this exemption applies, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) and SIA has put together some examples of how it works.

This guidance is not exhaustive.
You should seek legal advice if you are unsure whether the exemption applies.

1 A sports ground with an athletics track has open terracing and one covered stand. The local authority issues a regulated stands safety certificate for the covered stand under the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sports Grounds Act 1987. Are all stewards working at the ground exempt from SIA regulation?

No. Stewards performing a crowd management/security function within the covered stand area are exempt. This is because they are working in an area bound by the regulated stands certificate. All stewards performing crowd management/ security functions in other parts of the sports ground are subject to SIA regulation.

2 A racecourse has a total capacity of 25,000. This includes three stands covered by a regulated stands safety certificate. The venue has a special safety certificate from the local authority to stage a pop concert. This will take place in front of the three covered stands and part of the paddock. Are stewards managing the crowd at this event exempt from SIA regulation?

No. If the stewards are performing crowd management/security functions within the area of the regulated stands, the SIA exemption applies. If they are not, then they are subject to SIA regulation. The type of event taking place at the sports ground does not matter.

3 An event is taking place at a venue that is not designated under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975. It does not contain any regulated stands. The venue has a premises licence issued by the local authority. Are stewards performing a crowd management function at the event exempt from SIA regulation?

No. Because there is no safety certificate in place for the venue the stewards will each require a door supervisor (DS) SIA licence.

4 A large sports ground uses a team of in-house CCTV operators to maintain and operate CCTV cameras throughout the ground. Are these CCTV operators exempt from SIA regulation?

Yes, as the CCTV operators are employed directly by the sports ground. CCTV operators only need a Public Space Surveillance SIA licence if they are providing a service under contract.