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Sky News can reveal that police are investigating a security firm over allegations it has been providing security services to Taylor Swift without a proper licence.
The super star will perform in front of about 80,000 fans in Sydney tonight, the first of four shows, after three sold-out shows in Melbourne.
It’s understood police are looking into whether CorpSec International, based in Queensland, was working for the star without obtaining the required licence to operate in New South Wales.
“Officers from the Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate have commenced an investigation in relation to an alleged breach of the Security Industry Act 1997 occurring yesterday (Tuesday 20 February 2024) at Surry Hills,” New South Wales Police said in a statement to Sky News.
It’s the same night the superstar was filmed leaving a restaurant Surrey Hills flanked by security personnel who led the super star through a group of excited fans to a waiting car.
Sky News host Erin Molan broke the story on her show on Friday afternoon.
Sky News understands that police have already made inquiries to CorpSec International as part of their investigation.
Sky News also reached out to the company but a spokesman declined to comment.
While it’s yet unclear whether the company did in fact breach any rules, the CEO of Australian Security Industry Association Limited Bryan de Caires said firms who don’t operate with the proper licences face significant penalties.
“Potentially they could be disqualified – it’s not a light-hearted thing, they’re exposing themselves and event organisers to significant legal risk,” Mr de Caires said.
“The licence ensures that operators have the required skill set to perform their role so that fans are able to go in and out of the event safely.”
Mr de Caires said that firms that were not licenced were also unlikely to be insured, exposing their clients and others to potential financial risk.
“Particularly when you’re dealing with crowd control and people could possibly be injured, if an incident happens there could be serious consequences,” he said.
Mr de Caires said tougher checks and more uniformity were needed in terms of how the sector was regulated across the country.
“In some states you don’t even have to be a permanent resident to get a security licence,” he said.
“This is a 12 billion dollar industry and there are 200,000 people working within the sector.
“If we can’t properly validate who you are and what you’re background is, it’s a potential risk to the community.
“We just need tougher checks to lift the bar.”
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