New Authority to raise standards in the security industry

Door supervisors and wheel clampers will be the first sectors of the private security industry to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority (SIA) launched today.

The public will be protected from rogue operators when the Security Industry Authority introduces licensing; which will lead to higher standards of recruitment and training for private security operatives and managers.

Door supervisors, wheel clampers and security guards will need to pass a criminal background check, display effective communication skills in the English language and reach set levels of training and professional standards. It will be a criminal offence to work in these sectors without an SIA licence.

The Security Industry Authority is launched today at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster by Home Office Minister Lord Falconer. The SIA is an independent body, answerable to the Home Secretary, with legal responsibility for licensing individuals working in the security industry and for raising standards of training and professionalism.

Door supervisors and wheel clampers on private ground will be the first sectors to be licensed by the SIA but regulation will be phased in to cover security guards, private investigators, key holders and security consultants.

Molly Meacher, Chairman of the SIA, said:

"During the past twenty years the private security industry has experienced unparalleled expansion and the significance of the industry continues to grow dramatically. The police increasingly recognise that the security industry is an indispensable partner in protecting the public by helping to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. The SIA will be the catalyst to enable the industry to respond to these new opportunities as a professional and valued sector.

The SIA will continue to work collaboratively with the security industry to provide greater protection of the public by; raising standards through a system of licensing – for managers as well as operatives; by establishing an approved contractor scheme to further advance the professionalism of the industry; and to gain greater public confidence in private security services."