The legal requirement depends entirely on what the stewards will actually be doing, not on their job title. Under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, anyone carrying out a licensable activity — searching attendees, ejecting individuals, or physically intervening in an incident — must hold a valid Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. Stewards working in safety or service roles whose duties don’t include searching, ejections, or physical intervention with attendees are not carrying out licensable work, so a licence isn’t always mandatory. Where stewards are limited to crowd management, giving directions, and checking tickets, they generally don’t need an SIA licence, but they aren’t permitted to use force, search anyone, or guard property.
Event organisers who have spent years coordinating stewarding plans across football grounds, festivals, and private venues learn quickly that the licensing question isn’t binary — it’s role-by-role. Getting it wrong carries real consequences, so this guide breaks down exactly where the legal line sits.
Licensable Versus Non-Licensable Steward Duties
The clearest way to determine legal requirements is to separate tasks into two categories. This distinction matters because deploying an unlicensed steward into a licensable role is a criminal offence under the Act.
| Steward Activity | Licence Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Directing attendees, checking tickets | No | Classed as a service role |
| Crowd management and queue guidance | No | Provided no force is used |
| Bag or person searches | Yes | SIA licensable activity |
| Ejecting individuals | Yes | SIA licensable activity |
| Physically intervening in incidents | Yes | Unless in-house staff hold equivalent training |
| Guarding property or site access | Yes | Classed as security guarding |
When SIA Licensing Becomes a Legal Requirement
Certain event types push stewarding duties automatically into licensable territory. Any role involving protection of people or property, crowd control, or access to restricted areas typically requires a licence, and without one, working in a licensable role is a criminal offence. Licensed premises events sit firmly in this category, since alcohol-related incidents raise the likelihood of ejections and physical intervention.
There’s a notable exemption worth knowing. Under section 4(6) of the 2001 Act, in-house stewards employed directly by a sports ground carrying out licensable activities are exempt from SIA licensing, provided the ground holds a valid safety certificate. This exemption applies to certified sports grounds in England and Wales, and extends to visiting teams if their own ground is also certified.
Bonus Tip: Confirm exemption status in writing before the event, not on the day. A safety certificate that has lapsed removes the exemption instantly, leaving in-house stewards performing licensable duties without cover.
Volunteer-run community events carry a separate exemption. Stewards working on a wholly voluntary basis do not require an SIA licence, though the event organiser remains responsible for ensuring adequate numbers of trained stewards who understand the site and work within a clear management structure.
SIA Licence Categories for Events
Where licensing is required, the category matters as much as the licence itself.
| Licence Type | Where It Applies | Typical Duties |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | Venues without an alcohol premises licence | Site guarding, patrolling, access control |
| Door Supervisor | Venues with or without a premises licence | Searches, ejections, incident response |
| Public Space Surveillance | CCTV monitoring roles | Camera-based monitoring of public areas |
| Close Protection | High-profile individuals | Personal protection, close-quarters security |
Door Supervisors and Security Guards hold broadly the same powers, but differ in which venues they’re authorised to operate in — Security Guard licence holders can only work at venues without an alcohol premises licence, while Door Supervisors can work at both.
Things to Consider Before Making a Decision
Before finalising a stewarding plan, map out every task each steward will realistically face, not just the ones expected on paper. Many events find that the majority of stewards never actually perform a licensable activity as part of their normal duties, but risk assessments should still account for the possibility.
Bonus Tip: Build a written task matrix per role before the event, listing exactly which duties are licensable. This document becomes essential evidence if a regulator ever queries staffing decisions.
Numbers matter too. Required steward numbers depend on the nature of the event and are typically agreed at Safety Advisory Group meetings, with positions detailed in a stewarding plan that forms part of the wider event safety management plan.
Relevant Support Services
Keep Safe & Secure Ltd offers services that align directly with these stewarding and licensing needs:
- Event Security and Stewards — Combines licensed and non-licensed personnel matched to the specific duties each role requires.
- CCTV Installation & Surveillance — Supports incident monitoring where Public Space Surveillance licensing applies.
- Key Holding & Alarm Response Services — Covers site security outside event hours, including build and derig periods.
- Fencing and Hoarding Services — Establishes controlled access points that reduce reliance on physical intervention.
Common Questions
Do all stewards at my event need an SIA licence?
No. Only those performing licensable activities such as searching, ejecting, or physically intervening require one. Ticket-checking and directional roles typically don’t.
Can volunteers steward without a licence?
Yes, provided the role is wholly voluntary and doesn’t cross into licensable activity.
Is a certified sports ground fully exempt from SIA rules?
Only in-house staff at grounds holding an active safety certificate are exempt — agency-supplied staff still require licences.
FAQ
How often should stewarding numbers be reviewed for recurring events?
Numbers should be reassessed each time attendance patterns, venue layout, or alcohol licensing status change, since these directly affect the licensable-activity risk profile.
What happens if a steward performs a licensable task without a licence?
It constitutes a criminal offence under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, with legal responsibility extending to the organiser as well as the individual.
Can one steward hold multiple licence types?
Yes. A Close Protection licence, for example, covers close protection, door supervision, and security guarding duties together.
Does CCTV monitoring at an event require a licence?
Only if the monitoring falls under Public Space Surveillance activity as defined by the SIA — passive recording without live monitoring may not.
How is a stewarding plan different from a security plan?
A stewarding plan focuses on positioning, briefing, and duties for individual stewards, while a security plan covers the broader risk assessment, licensing requirements, and incident response strategy.
Key Takeaways
Legal steward requirements hinge on the specific duties performed, not job titles or event size. Searches, ejections, and physical intervention trigger SIA licensing obligations; ticket-checking, directions, and voluntary roles generally don’t. Certified sports grounds carry a specific in-house exemption, but it depends on an active safety certificate. Review every steward’s actual duties against these categories before the event, not after an incident forces the question.
Plan Stewarding With Confidence
Getting the licensing split right protects both attendees and the organisation running the event. Keep Safe & Secure Ltd can be reached at info@keepsafesecure.com or +443301188340 to discuss stewarding structures suited to a specific venue and audience.
