Weston-Super-Mare man prosecuted for working illegally at Oktoberfest

Chadd Thomas Zamir Heath pleaded guilty to working as unlicensed security following a prosecution brought by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Heath was fined £300. The court also ordered him to pay court costs of £1,000 as well as handing him a victim surcharge of £34.

This prosecution follows a routine licence inspection at the Oktoberfest event at Weston-Super-Mare on 01 October last year. SIA investigators approached the entrance gate and saw three men wearing security jackets. The investigators asked to see their security licences. Two men were correctly displaying their licences, which were verified by the investigators. The third man – Mr Heath – wasn’t displaying a licence, for which the SIA investigators challenged him.

Heath stated he was security staff and said that his SIA licence was in his car. It’s a licensing requirement that operatives on duty are required to display a valid SIA licence.

A check on Heath’s alleged licence revealed that he did not have a licence and was therefore working illegally. Mr Heath then explained to the SIA that he had completed his training and was waiting for his licence. On the night of the inspection, Heath was wearing a jacket marked with the word ‘Security’ which he claimed he needed to wear to keep himself warm. The SIA investigator cautioned Mr Heath. His employer suggested that Mr Heath was working as a steward, and that he did not need to be licensed.

The SIA investigators checked the signing-in book and found out that even though Heath had registered himself for employment that night he did not supply an SIA licence number. The SIA investigation officer also found out from the Oktoberfest organisers that they had procured seven door supervisors and no stewards.

Heath was interviewed under caution on 04 February 2022 and claimed that he was working as a steward. This led to the SIA bringing a prosecution against Heath.

Jenny Hart, the SIA’s Criminal Investigations Manager, said:

Chadd Heath worked illegally at a high-profile event at the seaside resort of Weston-Super-Mare. The point of the SIA’s licensing regime is to keep the public safe. Mr Heath unfortunately put the public at risk and jeopardised his future career in the private security industry, as he was pursuing a licence application and had completed his training. He chose to work while he was unlicensed and his actions that night have caused him to incur a fine, court costs and also a criminal record. It is unlikely that he will be able to work in the industry in the future.

Notes to editors:

• By law, security operatives working under contract must hold and display a valid SIA licence
• Read about SIA enforcement and penalties
• The offences relating to the Private Security Industry Act (2001) that are mentioned in the release are as follows:
  • Section 3 – working without a licence

Further information:

• The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Our main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.
• For further information about the Security Industry Authority visit www.gov.uk/sia. The SIA is also on Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and Twitter (SIAuk).