SIA Security Officer Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   Which is one of the reasons listed in section 24A of PACE that can make a citizen's arrest necessary?

   • ATo check the person's age for the venue
   • BTo make the person apologise to the victim
   • CTo stop the person making off before a police officer can take over
   • DTo get the person's name, address and phone number for the incident report
   Show answer

   Answer: C. To stop the person making off before a police officer can take over

   The listed reasons are to prevent the person causing injury to themselves or others, suffering injury, causing loss of or damage to property, or making off before a constable can assume responsibility.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What is the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)?

   • AA scheme that lets companies employ unlicensed staff
   • BA compulsory licence that every security officer must hold in addition to their own
   • CA voluntary scheme that assesses security companies against a set of standards
   • DA police vetting service for venue customers
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   Answer: C. A voluntary scheme that assesses security companies against a set of standards

   The ACS is voluntary. Companies that meet its standards can show they are committed to quality.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which body regulates data protection in the UK?

   • AThe Security Industry Authority
   • BThe Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
   • CThe Health and Safety Executive
   • DThe Crown Prosecution Service
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

   The ICO enforces the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Which change must an SIA licence holder tell the SIA about?

   • AA change of address or a new criminal conviction
   • BBuying a new mobile phone
   • CChanging their hairstyle
   • DGoing on holiday somewhere in the UK for a fortnight
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A change of address or a new criminal conviction

   Licence conditions require holders to report changes such as name, address and convictions, cautions or charges.

5. Question 5 of 25

   In Northern Ireland, which law gives private persons a power of arrest similar to section 24A of PACE?

   • AThe Licensing Act 2003
   • BThe Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
   • CThe Equality Act 2010
   • DThe Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989

   Article 26A of the PACE (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 gives a power similar to section 24A in England and Wales.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What is a good reason to hold a debrief after a serious incident?

   • ATo learn lessons and support the staff involved
   • BTo decide who gets a pay rise
   • CTo find out which member of staff was to blame for it
   • DTo avoid writing a report
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   Answer: A. To learn lessons and support the staff involved

   Debriefs help teams improve procedures and check that colleagues are coping well after stressful events.

7. Question 7 of 25

   In the 4 Cs approach to a suspicious item, what does "Clear" mean?

   • AMove people away from the item to a safe distance
   • BClean the area around the item
   • CClear the item away to a bin
   • DOpen the item carefully to check whether it is safe
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Move people away from the item to a safe distance

   The 4 Cs are Confirm, Clear, Communicate and Control. Never touch or move the item.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You see someone filming the staff entrance and asking unusual questions about shift changes. What should you do?

   • APost their photo on social media
   • BIgnore it, because filming in a public place is always legal
   • CTake the person's phone by force
   • DEngage politely if safe, note details and report it
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Engage politely if safe, note details and report it

   Reporting suspicious behaviour can disrupt attack planning. Record a description and pass it on quickly.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What is good customer service for a security operative?

   • ABeing polite, helpful and treating everyone fairly
   • BIgnoring questions that are not about security or safety
   • COnly helping people who are regular customers
   • DBeing rude so people respect your authority
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Being polite, helpful and treating everyone fairly

   Good customer service builds trust and helps prevent conflict.

10. Question 10 of 25

    When working in a front-line role, where should an operative's SIA licence be?

    • AWorn where it can be clearly seen, unless the licence conditions allow otherwise
    • BKept in the employer's office safe
    • CLeft at home so it does not get lost
    • DKept safely inside a pocket or wallet and shown only if a police officer asks to see it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Worn where it can be clearly seen, unless the licence conditions allow otherwise

    A condition of a front-line licence is that it is worn where it can be seen while working. This helps the public and the police identify licensed staff.

11. Question 11 of 25

    A person asks a company for a copy of the personal data it holds about them. What is this called?

    • AA subject access request
    • BA disclosure notice
    • CA licence review
    • DA freedom of movement request
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A subject access request

    People have a right of access to their own personal data. Organisations must normally respond within one month.

12. Question 12 of 25

    How should a mistake in a pocket notebook be corrected?

    • AScribble over it carefully so the wrong words cannot be read later in court
    • BCross it out with a single line, so it can still be read, and initial it
    • CUse correction fluid
    • DTear out the page
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Cross it out with a single line, so it can still be read, and initial it

    Notebooks may be used as evidence. A single line shows the change was honest.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Which right in the Human Rights Act is most affected when a security operative detains someone?

    • AThe right to liberty and security (Article 5)
    • BThe right to freedom of expression (Article 10)
    • CThe right to education
    • DThe right to free elections
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The right to liberty and security (Article 5)

    Detaining someone takes away their liberty. Any arrest must be lawful, or it may breach Article 5 and be false imprisonment.

14. Question 14 of 25

    How many terrorism threat levels does the UK use?

    • A5
    • B4
    • C3
    • D6
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 5

    The levels are low, moderate, substantial, severe and critical.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Which is an example of non-verbal communication?

    • AA telephone call
    • BFacial expressions and body posture
    • CA radio message
    • DThe words used in a written incident report
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Facial expressions and body posture

    Non-verbal communication includes body language, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact. It can say more than words.

16. Question 16 of 25

    An arrested person tells you they feel unwell and have trouble breathing. What should you do?

    • AHold them more tightly
    • BTreat it as a medical emergency, call 999 and give first aid if trained
    • CWait for the police to arrive before doing anything else, in case it is a trick
    • DIgnore it, as they may be pretending
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Treat it as a medical emergency, call 999 and give first aid if trained

    You have a duty of care for anyone you detain. Breathing problems can be life-threatening.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does the UK threat level "severe" mean?

    • AAn attack is highly unlikely
    • BAn attack is possible but not likely
    • CAn attack is highly likely
    • DAn attack is likely
    Show answer

    Answer: C. An attack is highly likely

    Low means highly unlikely, moderate means possible but not likely, substantial means likely, severe means highly likely, and critical means highly likely in the near future.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What three elements make up the fire triangle?

    • AGas, sparks and wood
    • BHeat, fuel and oxygen
    • CWater, air and fuel
    • DSmoke, flames and heat
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    Answer: B. Heat, fuel and oxygen

    A fire needs all three. Removing any one of them puts the fire out.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Which group of people is most likely to be vulnerable at a venue?

    • AA staff member finishing a shift
    • BA sober person waiting for a lift with a partner
    • CSomeone very drunk and alone
    • DA group of friends leaving together by taxi
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    Answer: C. Someone very drunk and alone

    Vulnerability can come from alcohol or drugs, being alone, age, mental health or being targeted by others.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Which example is a civil wrong rather than a crime?

    • AAssault causing injury
    • BTheft from a shop
    • CTrespass on private land, in most cases
    • DRobbery
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Trespass on private land, in most cases

    Simple trespass on land is usually a civil matter in England and Wales, so the remedy is to ask the person to leave. Theft, assault and robbery are crimes.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which class of fire involves cooking oils and fats?

    • AClass D
    • BClass F
    • CClass B
    • DClass A
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Class F

    Class F fires involve cooking oils and fats, such as in a deep fat fryer. A wet chemical extinguisher is used on them.

22. Question 22 of 25

    The Human Rights Act 1998 brings which rights into UK law?

    • AThe rights in the European Convention on Human Rights
    • BThe rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
    • CThe rights in the US Constitution
    • DOnly the rights of employers
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The rights in the European Convention on Human Rights

    The Human Rights Act lets people rely on European Convention rights, such as the right to liberty (Article 5) and to respect for private life (Article 8), in UK courts.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Which law created the Security Industry Authority (SIA)?

    • AThe Data Protection Act 2018
    • BThe Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
    • CThe Licensing Act 2003
    • DThe Private Security Industry Act 2001
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Private Security Industry Act 2001

    The Private Security Industry Act 2001 set up the SIA to license individuals and regulate the private security industry across the UK.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Which is one of the data protection principles under the UK GDPR?

    • APersonal data must be kept no longer than necessary
    • BPersonal data must be kept forever in case it is useful
    • CPersonal data must always be published online
    • DPersonal data may be shared with anyone who asks
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Personal data must be kept no longer than necessary

    The principles include lawfulness, fairness and transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, security, and accountability.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What does ACT stand for in UK counter-terrorism?

    • AAlert Control Team
    • BArrest, Contain, Transfer
    • CAlways Check Tickets
    • DAction Counters Terrorism
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Action Counters Terrorism

    ACT is the police campaign encouraging people to report suspicious activity. ACT awareness e-learning is used in security training.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 70% in each multiple-choice exam (72 questions and 60 questions)