The UK security industry is in a constant state of evolution. From new laws and regulations to technological advancements and shifting job market trends, staying informed is no longer just an advantage—it’s essential for every security professional.
This guide is your comprehensive overview of the most significant developments in the UK security sector for 2025. We’ll break down the key changes, from the landmark Martyn’s Law to the latest SIA licensing updates, and explain what they mean for you, your career, and the industry as a whole.
December 2025 SIA Licensing Changes: What You Need to Know
On 1 December 2025, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) will implement its most significant licensing criteria update in years. These changes are designed to raise standards, improve public safety, and ensure that only suitable individuals hold an SIA licence. Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing and why it matters.
Expanded List of Relevant Offences
The SIA is expanding the range of criminal offences it considers when making licensing decisions. According to the official SIA announcement, the updated list will now include offences related to human trafficking and modern slavery, revenge porn, female genital mutilation (FGM), and domestic abuse. New categories of offences, such as immigration offences, public order offences, tax evasion, and company law offences, will also be considered.
This means that a wider range of past convictions could now impact your eligibility for an SIA licence. The SIA conducted a public consultation from March to May 2025, receiving 3,392 responses, before finalising these changes.
New Refusal Categories
Two new refusal categories are being introduced: “absolute refusal” and “intention to refuse.”
Absolute Refusal applies to individuals with the most serious convictions, including those on the sex offenders register or with multiple sexual or child abuse offences. If you fall into this category, your application will be refused unless you can prove the decision was based on incorrect information (for example, the criminal record assessed is not yours).
Intention to Refuse applies to individuals with other serious convictions, such as a single sexual or child abuse offence, or a custodial sentence of more than 48 months. If you fall into this category, you will have the opportunity to appeal the decision and provide evidence that you are not a risk to the public.
Extended Overseas Criminal Record Checks
If you have lived outside the UK for a continuous period of 6 months or more in the last 10 years, you will now be required to provide a criminal record check from each country you resided in. This is an extension of the previous requirement, which only covered the last 5 years.
Expanded “Other Information” Criteria
The SIA will now explicitly consider a wider range of information when assessing an individual’s fitness and propriety. This includes county court judgements (CCJs), fixed penalty notices, misconduct or disciplinary proceedings from other professional bodies, and evidence of predatory or abusive sexual behaviour, or domestic violence, even without a conviction.
What this means for you: The bar for entry into the security industry is being raised. If you’re considering a career in security, it’s more important than ever to have a clean record and a professional attitude. If you have any concerns about your eligibility, you should review the SIA’s updated licensing criteria in detail before applying for a door supervisor or security guarding course.
April 2025: Mandatory Refresher Training for Renewals
As of 1 April 2025, a significant change to the SIA licensing process came into effect: mandatory refresher training is now required for all licence renewals. This replaces the old “top-up” training and ensures that all security professionals are up-to-date with the latest skills and knowledge.
This one-day course covers critical updates, including counter-terrorism awareness, first aid, and new legislation like Martyn’s Law. You must complete this training before your licence expires to be eligible for renewal. Your old top-up training certificate is no longer valid for this purpose.
What this means for you: Plan ahead for your renewal. You can complete the refresher training up to four months before your licence expires. Don’t leave it until the last minute, as training providers can get busy. Train4Security offers SIA-approved refresher courses for both door supervisors and security guards.
Martyn’s Law: The Protect Duty and What It Means for Security
One of the most significant legislative changes affecting the UK security industry in 2025 is the introduction of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, commonly known as Martyn’s Law. Named in tribute to Martyn Hett, one of the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, this landmark legislation aims to improve the protection of public spaces from terrorist attacks.
After years of campaigning by Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, the Act gained Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. While the implementation dates are still being finalised, the law will create new responsibilities for publicly accessible locations, placing a greater emphasis on preparedness and proactive security measures.
What Does Martyn’s Law Require?
Martyn’s Law introduces a tiered model, with requirements based on the capacity of a venue or event. The Standard Tier applies to locations with a maximum capacity of 200 to 799 people. These venues will be required to undertake basic, low-cost activities to improve their preparedness. This includes completing free online counter-terrorism awareness training and ensuring staff know how to respond in the event of an attack.
The Enhanced Tier applies to locations with a maximum capacity of 800 or more people. These larger venues will face more stringent requirements. In addition to the standard tier duties, they will need to complete a formal risk assessment, develop a detailed security plan, and implement “reasonably practicable” security measures. This could include physical measures like CCTV, bag searches, and vehicle barriers, as well as procedural changes.
What This Means for Security Professionals
Martyn’s Law will have a profound impact on the UK security industry, increasing the demand for qualified professionals and changing the nature of many security roles.
Increased Demand: The new legal requirements will likely lead to an increase in demand for trained security staff, particularly those with counter-terrorism training and experience in risk assessment.
New Responsibilities: Security professionals will be at the forefront of implementing Martyn’s Law. Your role may expand to include conducting risk assessments, developing security plans, and training other staff members on counter-terrorism procedures.
Emphasis on Training: Counter-terrorism awareness and response will become a core competency for all security professionals. This makes courses like close protection, which include advanced security planning and threat assessment, more valuable than ever.
Greater Scrutiny: With the new legislation comes greater accountability. Security staff will be expected to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and competence in protecting the public from terrorist threats.
Operation Resolute: The Crackdown on Training Malpractice
In April 2025, the SIA launched Operation Resolute, a major initiative to tackle training malpractice and fraud within the UK’s private security industry. This intelligence-led operation involves unannounced inspections of training centres to ensure they are meeting the required standards.
The SIA has taken a zero-tolerance approach to malpractice. According to an August 2025 report, the impact has been significant. Since April, unannounced visits to training centres have increased by 120% compared to the same period last year. This has resulted in ten centres having their approval withdrawn, one being suspended, and 17 individual SIA licences being revoked due to concerns over training standards.
What this means for you: Choose your training provider carefully. Ensure they are SIA-approved and have a good reputation. Be wary of providers offering courses that seem too short, too cheap, or that guarantee a pass. The SIA is actively revoking licences obtained through fraudulent training, so cutting corners could cost you your licence and your career.
SIA Qualifications Under Review: Preparing for the Future
In a significant move to ensure that security training remains fit for purpose, the SIA announced a major strategic review of its licence-linked qualifications on 5 November 2025. This review will examine the content and delivery of all training required to obtain an SIA licence, with the goal of equipping operatives with the skills needed to handle the complex challenges of the modern security landscape.
What is Being Reviewed?
The review is wide-ranging and will consider several key areas. The SIA will examine what new core content is required, what changes are needed to safety-critical skills like physical intervention and searching, and how to update counter-terror content. The review will also look at how to meet emerging issues, like dealing with social media “auditors” and using new technologies and equipment.
The SIA wants to make sure existing content remains as comprehensive as possible, especially on issues like spiking awareness and specialist searching techniques, such as searching wheelchairs. The review will also consider whether there is the right amount of content in key specialist areas, such as close protection, how English language skills are tested and demonstrated, and how first aid skills are demonstrated.
Beyond the qualifications themselves, the review will work with partners to examine other aspects of training delivery, including technological innovation to make exams less vulnerable to cheating, new quality requirements of training providers, and a review of the occupational expertise and qualifications of trainers required to deliver licence-linked qualifications.
What This Means for You
This review signals that the SIA is committed to raising standards across the board. While the specific outcomes of the review are not yet known, you can expect to see several changes in the coming years that will directly impact the state of the UK security industry.
- More Comprehensive Training: Future SIA training courses are likely to be more in-depth, with a greater focus on practical skills and real-world scenarios.
- Higher Standards for Trainers: The review will also examine the qualifications and experience required to become a licensed security trainer, which should lead to a higher quality of instruction.
- Increased Emphasis on Technology: Expect to see more training on how to use modern security technology, from advanced CCTV systems to communication and reporting apps.
For now, the best way to prepare is to embrace a mindset of continuous professional development. Stay up-to-date with industry best practices, seek out additional training opportunities, and be ready to adapt to the changing demands of the security profession.
The 2025 Retail Crime Crisis: A Surge in Demand for Security
Throughout 2025, the UK has faced a widely reported “shoplifting epidemic,” with crime rates reaching their highest levels in two decades. This has had a direct and significant impact on the security industry, creating unprecedented demand for trained professionals.
A January 2025 crime survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealed that incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff had soared to over 2,000 per day. The total cost of retail crime reached an astonishing £4.2 billion, with customer theft accounting for a record £2.2 billion in losses. These figures were later corroborated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which reported in July that shoplifting offences had risen by 20% to the highest level since 2003.
How This Impacts the UK Security Industry
This surge in crime has forced retailers to take action, leading to a massive increase in investment in security measures and personnel.
- Increased Demand for Officers: There is a critical need for qualified security professionals to act as a visible deterrent, apprehend shoplifters, and protect staff and customers. This has created a wealth of job opportunities in the retail security sector.
- Investment in Technology and Training: Retailers are spending billions on crime prevention, including CCTV, body-worn cameras, and, most importantly, trained security staff. This investment highlights the value placed on professional security in combating crime.
- Focus on De-escalation Skills: With violence and abuse on the rise, the ability to de-escalate conflict is more critical than ever. This has increased the demand for security professionals who have completed comprehensive training, such as the door supervisor course, which includes in-depth conflict management modules.
What this means for you: The retail crime crisis, while a negative trend for society, has created a strong job market for trained security professionals. If you have the right training and skills, you are in high demand. This is an opportune time to enter the industry or to upgrade your skills to meet the growing need for competent, professional security operatives.
October 2025: Real Living Wage Increase
In a move that will positively impact many security professionals, the Living Wage Foundation announced a significant increase to the Real Living Wage on 22 October 2025.
The new rates are:
- £13.45 per hour across the UK (a 6.7% increase)
- £14.80 per hour in London (a 6.9% increase)
While this is not a mandatory wage for all employers, over 14,000 UK businesses, including many security companies, are accredited Living Wage Employers. This increase puts more pressure on non-accredited companies to raise their pay to compete for qualified staff.
What this means for you: When job hunting, look for employers who are accredited by the Living Wage Foundation. This not only guarantees you a fair wage but also indicates that the company is committed to the well-being of its employees. You can find a list of accredited employers on the Living Wage Foundation’s website.
Industry Challenges and Workforce Issues in 2025
While the UK security industry is growing, it also faces significant challenges. A June 2025 report from the Security Industry Federation highlighted several key issues affecting the workforce. The report noted that despite rising demand, wages in some sectors of the industry remain low, making it difficult to attract and retain talent.
The high-pressure nature of security work, combined with long hours and the constant threat of violence, is taking a toll on the mental health of many professionals. Security operatives also face increasing legal accountability for their actions, often without adequate support or training.
These challenges underscore the importance of choosing a reputable employer that values its staff and provides fair pay, benefits, and mental health support. It also highlights the need for individuals to take their training seriously and ensure they are fully equipped to handle the demands of the job.
What This Means for Your Career in the UK Security Industry
The developments of 2025 paint a clear picture of the future of the UK security industry: it is becoming more professional, more regulated, and more demanding. For those willing to adapt and invest in their skills, this presents a significant opportunity.
- Professionalism is Key: The days of security being an unskilled job are over. The SIA’s new licensing criteria and qualifications review show a clear trend towards higher standards and greater professionalism.
- Training is an Investment: In this new landscape, training is not just a box to tick—it’s an essential investment in your career. A refresher course is now mandatory for renewal, and specialist qualifications in areas like CCTV or close protection can open doors to higher-paying roles.
- Adaptability is Crucial: From new laws like Martyn’s Law to emerging technologies, the ability to adapt to change is crucial for long-term success.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act gained Royal Assent in April 2025, the government has not yet announced the final implementation dates. There will be a transition period to allow businesses to prepare.
Not immediately. The new criteria will be applied when you next renew your licence, or if the SIA receives new information about you (such as a new criminal conviction).
You need to complete an SIA refresher course every three years before you can renew your SIA licence.
Your Future in a Changing Industry
The UK security industry is more dynamic and challenging in 2025 than ever before. The increased focus on professionalism, training, and public safety is creating a more respected and rewarding career path for dedicated professionals.
By staying informed about these key developments and committing to your own professional development, you can not only navigate these changes but also thrive in the evolving landscape of UK security.
Ready to take the next step in your security career? Whether you’re just starting out with a door supervisor course or looking to advance with specialist training, Train4Security has the courses you need to succeed. Book your course today and stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.
