The short answer
Event staff carrying out security duties under contract — searching, controlling entry, dealing with conduct — need an SIA licence. At events held under a premises licence or where alcohol is sold, that is normally a Door Supervisor licence; for guarding duties elsewhere a Security Guarding licence may be enough. Stewards doing purely safety roles, such as directing crowds or answering questions, usually do not need one. The Security Industry Authority publishes the definitive rules.
The two licences that matter for events
- Door Supervisor covers security activity at licensed premises and events — controlling entry, searching, and dealing with conduct where alcohol is involved. It also covers security guarding duties, which makes it the most versatile licence for event work.
- Security Guarding covers guarding property and people against unlawful activity, but not door supervision at licensed premises.
Stewards and security are different jobs
Stewards look after safety: directing people, managing queues, helping with an evacuation. Security staff deal with unlawful behaviour and control who gets in. The roles overlap at the gate, which is exactly where organisers get caught out — if a steward is searching bags or refusing entry, they are doing a licensable job.
What organisers should check
- Every security operative’s licence is valid for the role they are doing — licences can be checked on the SIA register.
- The security provider is clear about which staff are licensed and which are stewards.
- Staffing levels and roles match your event plan and risk assessment.
Beyond licensing
Licensing is the minimum. What makes an event run well is briefing: officers who know the event plan, the site, the escalation routes and the medical cover. We brief every officer against your plan and risk assessment, and can provide event medical cover and licensed radios from the same team.
Talk it through with us
Every site is different. Tell us about yours and we will tell you plainly what we would do.