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 [2nd April 2003]
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.”
ENDS.
Notes to Editors
1. The SIA has been set up as part of the provisions of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The Act requires all individuals providing security services in designated sectors in England and Wales to be licensed. The Scottish Executive has proposed an extension of the SIA’s remit to cover Scotland.
2. The SIA is a Non-Departmental Public Body, headed by Chairman, Molly Meacher with Chief Executive Officer, John Saunders OBE and a Board of five members appointed by the Home Secretary.
3. The designated sectors to be licensed are:- Door supervisors – on licensed premises. – Wheel clampers & vehicle removers – on private ground where a fee is charged for release- Security guarding – including cash in transit guards, body-guards and dog handlers.- Security consultants
– Private investigators.
4. The main SIA tasks are:
– Raise the profile of the security industry.- License individual security employees and to operate an approved companies scheme that will ensure training, recruitment, supervision and quality to conform to SIA standards.- Keep under review the private security industry and the operation of legislative framework.- Monitor the activities and effectiveness of those working in the industry.- Work with key groups within the industry to approve standards of conduct, further develop training and supervision of standards within the industry.
– Ensure SIA licences are carried and displayed.
5. Timetable for SIA licensing:- Early 2004 – Pilot scheme for door supervisors and wheel clampers- 2004 – Rollout licensing of door supervisors and wheel clampers- 2005 – Licensing of manned guards and key holders
– 2006 – Licensing of private investigators and security consultants.
6. Vision of the SIA:
“To create a Security Industry Authority that is internationally recognised as a major contributor to the quality and effectiveness of the private security industry, thus helping to reduce crime, disorder and the fear of crime.”
7. Further information can be found on the SIA website www.the-sia.org.uk
Issued by the Security Industry Authority Communications Office
Media enquiries only please contact:Robert Buxton020 7227 3643
For previous press releases: www.the-sia.org.uk/news