ACT No. XXIII of 2025 AN ACT to provide for a regulatory framework for security stewards in sports venues, as well as for other matters connected with or ancillary thereto.

I assent.

(L.S.)

MYRIAM SPITERI DEBONO

President

29th July, 2025

ACT No. XXIII of 2025

AN ACT to provide for a regulatory framework for security stewards

in sports venues, as well as for other matters connected with or ancillary

thereto.

BE IT ENACTED by the President, by and with the advice and

consent of the House of Representatives, in this present Parliament

assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

(1) The short title of this Act is the Security Stewards in

Sports Venues Act, 2025.

(2) This Act shall come into force within two (2) months from its

publication in the Gazette.

PART I

Preliminary

(article 22)

Training Course for Security Stewards in Sports Venues

Course Objectives

Successful completion of the course shall enable a participant to

(a)

enforce the provisions of this Act; and

(b) address difficult situations, insofar as possible

without the use of physical restraint.

Methodology

Following closely the provisions contained in this Act and other

relevant legislation, the modules shall introduce the keynote subject-

matter, skills required, threats and vulnerabilities. Tuition shall include

presentations, demonstrations, discussions and participation in project

exercises. Quality of direction, tuition and presentation is to be assured

through the participation of qualified specialists or acknowledged

experts in all fields of the keynote subjects.

Syllabus

1. Security steward services as defined in this Act.

2. The science of Security and Risk.

3. Conflict

management

training

and

addressing

difficult situations.

4. Occupational Health and Safety (including basic first

aid, basic assistance in fire-fighting, and safe evacuation of

persons).

Basic Skills

(a)

Observation.

(b)

Assessment of security threats and safety situations.

(c) Appropriate

action

according

to

situational

circumstances.

(d)

Safety.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

(a)

Overcoming communication barriers.

(b)

Conflict management.

(c)

Negotiating difficult situations.

(d)

Dealing with vulnerable persons.

Passed by the House of Representatives at Sitting No. 369 of the

23rd July, 2025.

ANĠLU FARRUGIA

Speaker

ELEANOR SCERRI

Clerk of the House of Representatives

€1.26

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires

"Administrative Review Tribunal" means the tribunal

established in accordance with article 5 of the Administrative

Justice Act;

"area of operation" means a sport venue in which a security

stewards agency is requested to provide the services of security

stewards;

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Police;

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for the Police;

"security steward" means an individual whose services are

rendered in the provision of security steward services;

"security stewards agency" means an individual or a body

of persons whether corporate or unincorporate, who provide

security stewards services;

"security steward services" means any security service

provided either by an individual or by a body of persons, whether

corporate or unincorporate, other than security services provided

by any government department or authority;

"sport venue" means any sports ground in accordance with

regulation 2 of the Maintenance of Public Order at Sports S.L. 10.33.

Grounds Regulations, as well as other venues where the public

may watch competitive sporting activities.

PART II

Security Stewards Agency and Security Steward Licencing

No person shall operate as a security stewards agency or act Security

as a security steward or offer his services as such, unless such person is stewards

agencies and

licensed in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

security

stewards shall

be licensed.

No person shall employ, engage, sub-contract or permit the Use of security

use of security stewards services unless such services are provided by steward service.

a security stewards agency licensed in accordance with the provisions

of this Act.

No security stewards agency shall engage any person for Engagement of

duties in, or connected with, security stewards services unless such security

stewards.

person is licensed as a security steward in accordance with the

provisions of this Act.

(1) Any person wanting to obtain or renew a licence as a Licence

security stewards agency or as a security steward shall submit an application

security

application in writing to the Commissioner.

stewards agency

and security

steward.

(2) In the case of a security stewards agency an application shall

contain the following information which shall be accompanied by such

required supporting documentation, as the case may require

(a) the full name and business address of the commercial

partnership as well as the registered number and office of the

partnership;

(b) the name under which the applicant intends to carry

on his activities;

(c) in the case of a body of persons the names and

addresses and legally valid identification document numbers of

the shareholders, partners, directors, secretaries and any other

officers of the body and where any of such persons is a

partnership, the registered number and office of the partnership

and the number of persons they propose to employ;

(d) a declaration by the applicant declaring that he has no

financial or other interest which could in any way conflict with

the services to be provided by the security stewards agency; such

other interest shall include any other business or economic

activity carried out or being carried out, or services provided or

being provided by the applicant, or employment held or being

held by the applicant;

(e) if an applicant was previously carrying on any

business activity, the financial statements for the last three (3)

years, and if under any other law such financial statements are

required to be audited, the audited financial statements;

(f) experience relevant to security stewards services,

including experience in the provision of private guard services

held by any person mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (c); and

(g) a clean police conduct certificate of directors or legal

representatives of the security stewards agency in whichever

legal form it is constituted.

(3) In the case of a security steward the application shall contain

the following information accompanied by such required supporting

documentation, as the case may require

(a) the full name, address and a legally valid

identification document number;

(b)

the date and place of birth;

(c)

full details of the applicant’s working experience;

(d) a declaration by the applicant stating that he has no

financial or other interest which could in any way conflict with

the services to be provided as a security steward;

(e) certificate of attendance to the course indicated in

article 22, as well as any information relating to other academic

training and other qualifications held to act as a security steward;

(f) a clean police conduct certificate and a declaration

confirming that the applicant has not been charged, accused, or

convicted of any criminal offence from amongst those listed in

article 11(1);

(g) the full name and the business address of his

employer;

(h) a valid first aid certification issued by an accredited

awarding body.

(4) The Commissioner may, in the circumstances of any particular

case, require additional information if it is strictly necessary for the

purpose of this Act, or that any information submitted in accordance

with this article be supported by such relevant documentation as he may

require.

(1) There shall be payable to the Commissioner for the Fees payable.

issue of a licence of a security stewards agency an application fee of

two hundred and forty euro (€240.00).

(2) On the renewal of the licence of a security steward agency

there shall also be paid to the Commissioner an annual fee of twelve

euro (€12.00) for every security steward employed by the same

agency, subject to a minimum fee of two hundred and forty euro

(€240.00) and an annual maximum fee of one thousand two hundred

euro (€1,200.00).

(3) There shall be payable to the Commissioner in relation to a

licence of a security steward an application fee of twenty-four euro

(€24.00) on the issue of such licence and an annual fee of twelve euro

(€12.00) on its renewal.

The Commissioner shall, within fifteen (15) days of the receipt Consultation

of such application, consult with relevant public entities in order to with

public entities.

ensure that the circumstances of the applicant do not fall under article

11(1).

(1) Any relevant public entity may, within one (1) month Objection to

from the receipt of the Commissioner’s request in terms of article 8, application.

object to the Commissioner in writing to the issue of such licence on any

of the grounds listed in article 11.

(2) The Commissioner shall consider any such objection and shall

verify any statements made therein. For this purpose, the

Commissioner may require the public entity objecting to produce

evidence to substantiate any statement made in any such objection.

Having considered the application made and any objections

received in accordance with article 9, the Commissioner shall, within

six (6) weeks from the lapse of one month prescribed in article 9(1)

(a) either issue a licence to the applicant to act as a

security stewards agency or as a security steward, as the case

may be; or

(b)

refuse the application

Provided that an applicant shall be deemed to be licensed

upon notification of the issuance of the licence.

(1) The Commissioner shall refuse a licence application in

any of the following circumstances where the applicant or any

employee of the applicant or any person who has an effective control

of the services to be provided by the applicant

(a) has been convicted in Malta or abroad of any crime

of homicide or of grievous bodily harm or any crime against

property aggravated by amount exceeding two thousand and

three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven cents

(€2,329.37), or by violence or any crime against public trust or

any other serious crime;

(b) has been dismissed from any disciplined force, in

Malta or abroad, because of any offence or other misbehaviour;

(c) is a public officer in a grade or category higher than

grade or category 11;

(d)

is an active member of a disciplined force;

(e) has been convicted in Malta or abroad of a crime

against the person or against property and the application is

made within five (5) years from the commission of the crime;

(f) has been convicted in Malta or abroad of any sexual

offence; or

(g) has been convicted of an offence under the

Maintenance of Public Order at Sports Grounds Regulations.

(2)

Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article (1), the

Commissioner may refuse an application where

(a)

he considers that it is in the public interest to do so;

or

(b) where the applicant does not possess the necessary

qualifications as prescribed by this Act or any regulations made

thereunder.

12 . (1) In the case that the Commissioner refuses to issue a Application

licence to an applicant to act as a security stewards agency or as a filed

Administrative

security steward, he shall forthwith communicate in writing such Review

Tribunal.

decision to the applicant stating the reason for such refusal

Provided that in the case of a refusal in accordance with

article 11(2)(a), it shall be sufficient to state that the licence has been

refused in the public interest.

(2) The Commissioner shall, in the case of a refusal keep a copy

of such refusal and the reason thereof.

(3) On the receipt of a licence the applicant may, within thirty

(30) calendar days from such receipt, file an application before the

Administrative Review Tribunal in accordance with article 15 of the

Administrative Justice Act requesting that any terms or conditions Cap. 490

attached to such licence be removed or changed.

(4) In the event of the Commissioner’s refusal to issue a licence,

the applicant may, within thirty (30) calendar days from the receipt of

such refusal, file an application before the Administrative Review

Tribunal in accordance with article 15 of the Administrative Justice Cap. 490.

Act requesting the issuance of a licence.

(1) A licence issued by the Commissioner in accordance Validity of a

licence.

with article 10 shall be

(a)

valid for a period of one (1) year from its date of

issue;

(b) subject to the specific condition that the holder of the

licence shall inform the Commissioner of any change in the

information submitted in relation to the relevant application; and

(c) subject to such other terms and conditions as the

Commissioner may deem fit to attach to such licence.

(2) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, a licence issued in

accordance with this Act may be renewed on the expiration of its

validity and on the payment of such fee as prescribed in accordance

with article 7.

(1) Where the holder of a licence does not conform to any

term or condition under which the licence has been issued or where

such circumstances arise which could have justified the refusal of an

application for such licence, the Commissioner may either withdraw or

suspend such licence.

(2) Where a licence has been withdrawn or suspended the

Commissioner may issue a new licence or withdraw the suspension

where the circumstances giving rise to the withdrawal or suspension

have been removed or no longer exist.

(3) The provisions of article 12(3) and (4) shall apply mutatis

mutandis to an appeal filed before the Administrative Justice Tribunal

pursuant to sub-article (1).

PART III

Duties of security stewards

The duties of a security steward shall be to

(a)

control access to sports venues;

(b)

control access to restricted areas within sports

venues;

(c) usher spectators to their allocated seats or areas,

where applicable;

(d) monitor or verify for any security or safety risks or

threats; and

(e) assist the Police in accordance with the duties listed

in this Act.

In the exercise of his duties as set out in article 15, the

security steward shall

(a) make use of electronic equipment to scan spectators

for any dangerous or prohibited items;

(b) refuse entry to the sports venue to any person who is

in possession of dangerous or prohibited items;

(c) refuse entry to the sports venue to any person on

Police instructions upon suspicion that such person may

endanger order or security within the sports venue;

(d) request Police intervention in case of detection of

suspected illegal items;

(e) maintain order and security in his area of operation

by means of requests or orders;

(f) endeavour to minimise, as far as practicable, any

damage which may be caused in the performance of his duties;

(g)

call emergency services as required;

(h) identify and report any potential hazards, such as fire

hazards; and

(i)

request Police intervention whenever necessary.

(1) A security stewards agency shall allocate security Allocation of

stewards to sports events in line with the outcome of a risk assessment security

stewards

undertaken by the sports event organiser or site proprietor, as endorsed pursuant

risk assessment.

by the Commissioner.

(2) If the measures taken by the sports event organiser or site

owner and the security stewards to prevent danger are insufficient, the

security stewards shall minute and report the factors endangering

security to the Police.

(1) A security steward may order any person to leave from Removal of

individuals.

his area of operation if such person

(a) is disturbing public order or endangering security at

the sports venue; or

(b) despite being warned, fails to obey any legitimate

order issued to maintain order or security.

(2) The security steward shall request Police intervention in case

of non-compliance of such person as mentioned under sub-article (1).

(1) Throughout the performance of their duties as stipulated Identification of

in accordance with this Act, security stewards shall have in their security

stewards.

possession the valid means of identification approved by the

Commissioner.

(2) Security stewards shall carry the valid means of identification

issued by the Commissioner throughout the performance of their

duties, which shall be presented on request by any person attending the

sport venue, and shall wear such distinctive uniform and distinctive

badges or other marks as may be prescribed.

PART IV

General

The Minister may make regulations regarding

(a) procedures for the award of licences to agencies or

security stewards;

(b)

fees payable additional to those provided for by this

Act;

(c)

additional duties to those provided for by this Act;

and

(d)

any other matters ancillary to the provisions of this

Act.

(1) Every security stewards agency licensed in accordance

with this Act shall, for as long as it is so licensed, be covered by an

indemnity insurance, in such manner and for such amount as may be

prescribed against any liability which such agency may incur for

compensation in respect of any loss or damage that any other person

may suffer as a result of any act done or omitted to be done by the

agency or by any security steward employed by the agency, in the

carrying out of any services provided under a licence issued in

accordance with the provisions of this Act. Such insurance shall be

made by the security stewards agency if the person licensed is a

security steward.

(2) Every person bound to be covered by an indemnity insurance

in accordance with this article shall on a yearly basis, within a week of

taking out or renewing such indemnity insurance, inform the Police in

writing and produce a valid copy of the indemnity insurance document

and the relative number of the insurance policy.

(3) For the purposes of this article every security stewards agency

bound to be covered by an indemnity insurance shall, together with the

information required under sub-article (2), submit a list of persons that

it employs, if any.

(4) Any changes to the list of persons employed submitted in

accordance with sub-article (3) shall be notified to the Police within

two (2) days from the occurrence of any such change.

(5) Any person who fails to comply with any of the provisions of

this article shall be deemed to operate without the licence required in

accordance with this Act.

(1) No person shall provide courses for the provision of Courses

academic training and other qualifications that may be required for a approved

provide training.

person to obtain or hold a licence as a security steward, unless the said

courses have been approved by the Commissioner in the form set out

in the Schedule, following consultations with the Authority for

Integrity in Maltese Sport as established in accordance with the Sports Cap. 626.

Governance and Integrity Act.

(2) The fee payable to the Commissioner by a person to provide

academic training or other qualification in accordance with sub-article

(1) shall be two hundred and forty euro (€240.00). Such fee shall be

payable upon the Commissioner’s approval.

(3) All applicants for a security steward licence shall attend the

course indicated in sub-article (1), while applications for a renewal of

a s e c u r i t y s t e w a r d li c e n c e s h a l l o n l y b e c o n s i d e r e d b y t h e

Commissioner if the applicant has attended such a course within the

preceding two (2) years.

Any person who

Offences and

penalties.

(a) operates a security stewards agency in contravention

of any of the provisions of this Act or of any licence issued

thereunder or acts in breach of the provisions of article 21, shall

be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction, to a fine

(multa) not exceeding twenty three thousand and three hundred

euro (€23,300.00), or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding

one (1) year, or to both such fine (multa) and imprisonment;

(b) who acts or is employed as a security steward, at a

sports venue in infringement of any of the provisions of this Act

or of any licence issued thereunder, shall be guilty of an offence

and shall be liable on conviction, to a fine (multa) not exceeding

four thousand and seven hundred euro (€4,700.00), or to

imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both

such fine (multa) and imprisonment;

(c) who employs, engages or permits the use of security

stewards services, in breach of article 4 or otherwise is in breach

of any provision of this Act other than those to which paragraphs

(a) and (b) apply shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable

on conviction, to a fine (multa) not exceeding one thousand and

two hundred euro (€1,200.00);

(d) being a security steward at a sports venue, exercises

excessive use of force or in any other way abuses of the powers

conferred upon him under this Act, shall be guilty of an offence

and shall be liable on conviction, to a fine (multa) not exceeding

two thousand euro (€2,000.00), or to imprisonment for a term not

exceeding twelve (12) months, or to both such fine (multa) and

imprisonment.

(1) Any processing of personal data carried out by the

Commissioner for the purposes of this Act shall be made in accordance

with Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the Data Protection Act and any

regulations made thereunder, and the fundamental rights and freedoms

of the data subjects.

(2) The Commissioner shall carry out the relevant data processing

operations which are limited to the extent necessary and proportionate

to the objectives pursued by this Act.