Do security officers have more powers than the public?

No. In most situations you have the same powers as any other citizen. Your SIA licence lets you work in a licensable role but gives no extra power to arrest, search or use force.

Can a security officer arrest someone for any crime?

No. In England and Wales, section 24A of PACE covers only indictable offences, and only when arrest is necessary for a listed reason and a constable cannot reasonably do it instead.

Can I search a customer who refuses?

No. Security staff can only search with consent, often as a condition of entry. If the person refuses, you can refuse entry, but you cannot force a search.

Does this course let me work as a security officer?

No. Front line security work in the UK needs a licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which needs a licence-linked qualification from an approved training provider. This course is background knowledge only.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Security Law and Powers Course (UK) 2026

Question 1 of 25

In the UK, what is the main legal basis for the powers a security officer can use on duty?

The same laws that give powers to any member of the public
The powers of a police constable, given by the employer
A special warrant issued with every SIA licence
Rules written by the client in the assignment instructions

Show answer

Answer: A. The same laws that give powers to any member of the public

Security staff are not police. For example, their arrest power is the one section 24A of PACE gives to any person who is not a constable.

Question 2 of 25

Which court normally deals with summary offences in England and Wales?

The Supreme Court
The Crown Court
The magistrates' court
The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Show answer

Answer: C. The magistrates' court

GOV.UK explains that magistrates' courts normally handle summary offences, such as most motoring offences and common assault.

Question 3 of 25

Which of these does GOV.UK give as an example of a summary offence?

Burglary
Robbery
Supplying illegal drugs
Common assault

Show answer

Answer: D. Common assault

Common assault that causes no significant injury is a summary offence. Burglary and drugs offences can be tried either way, and robbery is an indictable offence.

Question 4 of 25

In England and Wales, section 24A of PACE lets a person who is not a police officer arrest for which kind of offence?

Indictable offences, including either-way ones
Any offence at all, even minor parking offences
Only offences against their employer's property
Summary offences only

Show answer

Answer: A. Indictable offences, including either-way ones

Section 24A is limited to indictable offences. Under the Interpretation Act 1978, an indictable offence includes one that is triable either way, but not a summary-only offence.

Question 5 of 25

A man has just stolen from a shop and is walking quickly to a waiting car. No police are nearby. Which section 24A reason could make an arrest necessary?

Getting the stolen goods photographed for the store's records
Stopping him making off before a constable can take responsibility for him
Finding out his name and address so the shop can send him a banning letter
Making sure he cannot come back to the shop next week

Show answer

Answer: B. Stopping him making off before a constable can take responsibility for him

Section 24A(4) lists four reasons: to prevent injury to anyone, injury to the person, loss of or damage to property, or the person making off before a constable can take over.

Question 6 of 25

Under section 24A, what must also appear to be true before a citizen's arrest is lawful?

A police officer cannot reasonably make the arrest instead
The client has agreed in writing that arrests may be made on site
The person has refused to give you their full name and home address
The person already has a past conviction for the very same offence

Show answer

Answer: A. A police officer cannot reasonably make the arrest instead

The power can only be used if it appears that it is not reasonably practicable for a constable to make the arrest instead.

Question 7 of 25

Under the Theft Act 1968, theft means dishonestly appropriating property belonging to another with what intention?

To borrow it for a short while and then give it back
To move it to another part of the same building
To permanently deprive the other person of it
To keep it safe until the owner asks for it

Show answer

Answer: C. To permanently deprive the other person of it

Section 1 of the Theft Act 1968 needs dishonesty and the intention of permanently depriving the owner. The Act applies in England and Wales.

Question 8 of 25

A door supervisor moves from Manchester to Belfast. Which law sets out the citizen's arrest power in Northern Ireland?

The Private Security Industry Act 2001
The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016
The PACE (Northern Ireland) Order 1989
The Theft Act 1968

Show answer

Answer: C. The PACE (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

Article 26A of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 gives a power like section 24A, with the same conditions.

Question 9 of 25

Which statement about citizen's arrest in Scotland is correct?

PACE section 24A applies there in the same way
Security officers have the same arrest powers as police
Private citizens have only limited common law powers
There is no way for a private citizen to arrest anyone

Show answer

Answer: C. Private citizens have only limited common law powers

PACE does not apply in Scotland. Citizens Advice Scotland explains that private citizens have some common law powers of arrest, to be used with great care.

Question 10 of 25

Public guidance in Scotland says a citizen's arrest is only likely to be reasonable when:

You are sure a serious crime happened, for example you saw it
Another customer has told you that a person might be planning a crime
A person has been rude to you and used bad language at the door
You think a minor breach of the peace might happen later tonight

Show answer

Answer: A. You are sure a serious crime happened, for example you saw it

The crime should be more serious than a breach of the peace, and you should be sure it happened, for example because you saw it or were the victim.

Question 11 of 25

After a citizen's arrest, what does section 28 of PACE say the person must be told?

That they are under arrest and the reason why
That they will have to pay for any damage
That they must answer every one of your questions
Your full name and the name of your employer

Show answer

Answer: A. That they are under arrest and the reason why

Section 28 says an arrest is not lawful unless the person is told they are under arrest, and the grounds, at the time or as soon as practicable.

Question 12 of 25

What should happen to a person after a citizen's arrest?

They should be held until the manager arrives next morning
They should be fully searched and questioned by staff
They should be handed to the police as soon as possible
They should be released once they say sorry to the victim

Show answer

Answer: C. They should be handed to the police as soon as possible

A private citizen's arrest only holds the person until police can take responsibility. Hand them over as soon as possible and keep them safe meanwhile.

Question 13 of 25

Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967 allows reasonable force for which purposes?

Getting back money that a customer owes to the business
Making a person leave a queue for being rude to staff
Preventing crime or making or helping a lawful arrest
Punishing someone who has already stopped attacking you

Show answer

Answer: C. Preventing crime or making or helping a lawful arrest

Section 3 allows such force as is reasonable in the circumstances to prevent crime or to make or assist a lawful arrest. It applies in England and Wales.

Question 14 of 25

Which law sets out reasonable force to prevent crime or make an arrest in Northern Ireland?

The Private Security Industry Act 2001, section 3
The Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010
The Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022

Show answer

Answer: C. The Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967

Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 matches the England and Wales rule on force in preventing crime and making arrests.

Question 15 of 25

Under section 76 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, how is the reasonableness of force judged?

Only on how serious the injuries turned out to be
On the facts as the person genuinely believed them to be
On what the injured person says happened to them
Only on what the CCTV footage shows happened afterwards, nothing else

Show answer

Answer: B. On the facts as the person genuinely believed them to be

Section 76 says force is judged on the circumstances as the person believed them to be, if that belief was genuinely held.

Question 16 of 25

A man who has been drinking wrongly believes he is about to be attacked. Can he rely on that mistaken belief under section 76?

Yes, any honest belief always counts, however it came about
No, not if the mistake was caused by drink he chose to take
No, because mistaken beliefs never count at all
Yes, as long as he was off duty at the time

Show answer

Answer: B. No, not if the mistake was caused by drink he chose to take

Section 76(5) says a person cannot rely on a mistaken belief caused by voluntary intoxication.

Question 17 of 25

Outside householder cases, what does section 76 say about force that was disproportionate in the circumstances?

It is reasonable if the person felt scared
It is reasonable if no one was badly hurt
It is not reasonable force
It is reasonable if the person was in uniform

Show answer

Answer: C. It is not reasonable force

Section 76(6) says force is not regarded as reasonable if it was disproportionate in the circumstances as the person believed them to be.

Question 18 of 25

Does the law say you must always retreat before using force to defend yourself?

Yes, unless you are wearing a uniform at the time
No, and the court is not allowed to consider it at all
Yes, force is only ever lawful after you have first tried to run away
No, but a chance to retreat is one factor the court considers

Show answer

Answer: D. No, but a chance to retreat is one factor the court considers

Section 76(6A) says a possibility of retreat is a factor to consider, not a duty to retreat.

Question 19 of 25

What does section 76 accept about a person defending themselves in a sudden emergency?

They are always protected by law, whatever force they use
They must wait for a manager to approve any force
They must measure their force exactly or be guilty
They may not be able to judge the exact force needed

Show answer

Answer: D. They may not be able to judge the exact force needed

Section 76(7) says a person may not be able to weigh to a nicety the exact measure of action, and honest, instinctive action is strong evidence it was reasonable.

Question 20 of 25

A guard wants to carry a home-made baton 'just in case' on public patrols in England. What does the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 say?

It is an offence without lawful authority or reasonable excuse
It is only an offence if the guard actually uses it on someone
It is allowed if the client agrees in writing
It is allowed as long as the guard holds a valid SIA licence

Show answer

Answer: A. It is an offence without lawful authority or reasonable excuse

Section 1 makes it an offence to have an offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. A licence is not lawful authority.

Question 21 of 25

According to CPS guidance, is simple trespass on land in England and Wales a crime?

Yes, it is always a crime with a prison sentence
No, and an owner can never ask a trespasser to leave
No, it is not a criminal offence on its own
Yes, but only after dark on private land

Show answer

Answer: C. No, it is not a criminal offence on its own

The CPS says trespass is not of itself a criminal offence. It becomes criminal only as part of a specific offence, such as aggravated trespass.

Question 22 of 25

What turns trespass into aggravated trespass under section 68 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994?

Walking across the land without asking the owner first
Refusing to tell a guard their name and address when asked
An act meant to intimidate, obstruct or disrupt a lawful activity
Being on the land at night without carrying a written permit from the owner

Show answer

Answer: C. An act meant to intimidate, obstruct or disrupt a lawful activity

Aggravated trespass needs a trespasser to do an act intended to intimidate, obstruct or disrupt people carrying on a lawful activity.

Question 23 of 25

Under section 1 of PACE, who may stop and search people in public for stolen or prohibited articles?

A police constable
Any SIA-licensed security officer
Any adult who sees a crime
A store manager on their own premises

Show answer

Answer: A. A police constable

The stop and search power in section 1 of PACE belongs to constables. Security staff can only search with a person's consent.

Question 24 of 25

Searching a person's bag touches which right brought into UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998?

Right to a fair trial (Article 6)
Freedom of expression (Article 10)
Freedom of assembly and association (Article 11)
Respect for private and family life (Article 8)

Show answer

Answer: D. Respect for private and family life (Article 8)

Article 8 protects private and family life, home and correspondence. A search must have a lawful basis, such as genuine consent.

Question 25 of 25

The Equality Act 2010, with its nine protected characteristics, applies in which parts of the UK?

Scotland and Northern Ireland only
England, Wales and Scotland
England only
The whole UK, including Northern Ireland

Show answer

Answer: B. England, Wales and Scotland

Section 4 of the Equality Act 2010 extends to England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has its own equality laws.

Security Law and Powers Course (UK) 2026

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