3 October 2024
Locksmith company fined for unlicensed activities
SLED has fined Melbourne-based locksmith company Techmaster Services $11,000 for carrying on unlicensed security activities in NSW.
Techmaster Services, which advertised online in NSW as Sam Locksmiths, was fined for unlawfully providing persons to carry on a security activity while not holding a master licence.
On 14 May 2024, an unlicensed locksmith attended a western Sydney property on behalf of Techmaster Services after the resident locked themselves out.
SLED issued the company with an infringement notice as a result of its investigation of this incident. The company has paid the fine and has ceased advertising in NSW.
16 September 2024
Unlicensed locksmith company fined
SLED has fined Victorian-based locksmith company Wisetech Pty Ltd $11,000 for carrying on unlicensed locksmithing activities in NSW.
Wisetech, also trading as Pick and Lock and EZ Locksmiths, used online advertising to offer their services to NSW residents. However, the company did not hold a Master licence and unlawfully provided persons to carry on security activities in NSW.
SLED received a number of complaints about the services provided by unlicensed Wisetech locksmiths and further investigation found Wisetech had supplied unlicensed people to carry on locksmithing activities in NSW.
SLED issued the company with an infringement notice on 27 June 2024. The company has paid the fine and has removed the advertising.
26 July 2024
Master licence revoked for attempted deception
SLED has revoked a Master licence and a security operative licence linked to Adeel Shah after he pleaded guilty in court to two offences under the Security Industry Act 1997.
Shah pleaded guilty to one count of failing to comply with a requirement made by an Enforcement Officer and one count of altering a document required to be produced.
As well as holding a Class 1 licence, Shah was the nominated person for a Class MB licence held by AS Security Groups Pty Ltd, trading as Markhor Security Group.
Following a visit to a licensed premises in Darlinghurst, SLED required Shah to provide invoices related to the provision of security operatives at the venue. Shah provided one invoice and it was determined that he had altered the document in an attempt to deceive Enforcement Officers. Additionally, Shah failed to supply other information and documents as required by an Enforcement Officer.
The licences were revoked on the grounds that Shah had been found guilty of a prescribed offence (offences related to fraud, dishonesty or stealing).
12 July 2024
Unlicensed locksmith, locksmith company fined
SLED Investigators have fined a Melbourne-based company $16,500 for providing unlicensed locksmiths and advertising without a licence while allegedly running a locksmithing scam in NSW.
One of the unlicensed persons was issued $11,000 worth of fines for carrying on a security activity without a licence and for failing to comply with a requirement of an Enforcement Officer. Several others left the country following contact from SLED Investigators.
Due to legal reasons, we cannot name the company or persons involved at this time. Investigations into unlicensed locksmiths are continuing.
23 April 2024
Animal cruelty leads to revocation
SLED has revoked a Master licence and an operative licence issued to Penelope Carlow, whose business operated under the name Switched On Pro Security.
In September 2023, the Broken Hill-based Carlow was convicted of offences relating to the mistreatment of seven dogs.
The offences included several counts of “commit an act of cruelty upon an animal” and “being in charge of animal fail to provide vet treatment”.
She was charged and prosecuted by the RSPCA and received a term of imprisonment, which was served in the community by way of an intensive correction order.
SLED closely monitors licensees for ongoing suitability to hold a security licence, which includes considering information from other agencies that demonstrates a licensee has shown a disregard for any law.
SLED will revoke a security licence wherever it is found the licensee is no longer a fit and proper person, or that it is no longer in the public interest, for them to hold a NSW security licence.