Request ID: FOI-2416-2324 Date published: 23 November 2023
You asked
ULEZ mobile camera vans often have one or two persons in attendance fulfilling a security role. They are not exhibiting any ID but are wearing body cameras.
Could you tell me:
Do these security personnel hold SIA licences? (Security guard licence – for guarding premises or property against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour)
Why are they not displaying their SIA badge/ID (as required by law)?
Have they passed criminal record checks, including overseas criminal record checks if they have lived outside the UK for more than six months in the past five years?
If I believe I have been filmed by one of the body worn cameras, how do I obtain a copy of the recorded footage (which I am entitled to do under data protection laws)?
Thank you
We answered
TfL Ref:EIR-2416-2324 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 9th October 2023 asking for information about the ULEZ scheme. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below: “ULEZ mobile camera vans often have one or two persons in attendance fulfilling a security role. They are not exhibiting any ID but are wearing body cameras. Could you tell me: 1: Do these security personnel hold SIA licences? (Security guard licence – for guarding premises or property against damage, theft, unauthorised access or disorderly behaviour) Answer: TfL has deployed mobile units as part of our extensive camera network to support the effective operation of the ULEZ scheme. Staff accompanying these vans are not necessarily operating in a security role. Rather, they may be in attendance as operatives of the vans or providing transport for those staff. Where security personnel are used to support the vans they are suitably licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). 2: Why are they not displaying their SIA badge/ID (as required by law)? Answer: The security personnel supporting the vans operate as Close Protection Officers. As such, they are not required to publicly display identification. However, note that these staff carry their licence when working and will show it if requested to the Police, SIA inspectors or licencing officers from a local council. 3: Have they passed criminal record checks, including overseas criminal record checks if they have lived outside the UK for more than six months in the past five years? Answer: As referenced above in answer to Question 1, all security personnel are suitably licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and have therefore undergone the necessary criminal record checks (see the following page of the GOV.UK website for more information about criminal record checks in relation to SIA licencing: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-can-get-an-sia-licence-with-a-criminal-record) 4: If I believe I have been filmed by one of the body worn cameras, how do I obtain a copy of the recorded footage (which I am entitled to do under data protection laws)? Answer: You can submit a Subject Access Request to TfL via the following page of our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/privacy-and-cookies/access-your-data If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed. Yours sincerely, David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
