1 August 2007: The partial Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) for licensing private investigation and precognition agents has been approved by the Home Office and has been published.

The Private Security Industry Act 2001 sets out under Schedule 2, Part 1, that the Security Industry Authority (SIA), has the remit to consider the licensing of Private Investigation (section 4) and Precognition Agents (section 4A).

The RIA sets out a series of options, for public and industry consultation, on the potential approaches to regulation of the Private Investigation and Precognition Agent sectors. These range from doing nothing and allowing one or both sectors to continue to self regulate, to extending the licensing remit of the SIA to include both activities and establishing probity and competency requirements as conditions of the licence.

A copy of the RIA can be obtained by following the link on the SIA website or via the Home Office page.

The three month consultation period will commence on 1 August 2007 and conclude on 24 October 2007 and following this, the Home Office will then decide on the regulatory approach to be taken to these activities.

Notes to Editors:

• Precognition agents interview witnesses for the purposes of, or in anticipation of, criminal or civil proceeding in Scotland.
• Responses are welcomed from any stakeholder with an interest in either sector. Responses should be sent to:
  
  Private Investigation and Precognition Agent Consultation
  Home Office
  Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group
  SIA sponsor team
  Peel Building 4th floor
  2 Marsham Street
  London
  SW1P 4DF
  
  Or e-mailed to: consult.pi-pa@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk