SECURITY STEWARDS IN SPORTS VENUES ACT

CHAPTER 650

SECURITY STEWARDS IN SPORTS VENUES ACT

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.

29th September, 2025

ACT XXIII of 2025.

The short title of this Act is the Security Stewards in Sports

Venues Act.

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).

SECURITY STEWARDS IN SPORTS VENUES

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.

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

Grounds Regulations, as well as other venues where the public

may watch competitive sporting activities.

SECURITY STEWARDS IN SPORTS VENUES

PART II

Security Stewards Agency and Security Steward Licencing

No person shall operate as a security stewards agency or act

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

is licensed in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

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

use of security stewards services unless such services are provided by

a security stewards agency licensed in accordance with the provisions

of this Act.

No security stewards agency shall engage any person for

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

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

security stewards agency or as a security steward shall submit an

application in writing to the Commissioner.

(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 suc h r elevant

documentation as he may require.

(1)

There shall be payable to the Commissioner for the

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 of such application, consult with relevant public entities in order

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

11(1).

(1)

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

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

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.

(1)

In the case that the Commissioner refuses to issue a

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

security steward, he shall forthwith communicate in writing such

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

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 Act requesting the issuance of a licence.

(1)

A licence issued by the Commissioner in accordance

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

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

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

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 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 in accordance with this Act, security stewards shall have in

their 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

academic training and other qualifications that may be required for a

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

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 st e w a r d l i ce n c e sh 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

(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.