Private Security Industry Bill - Special Report 
(20/09/2001)
Updated 20 September 2001 - THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY Bill has received Royal Assent, bringing to an end more than 25 years of industry campaigning for regulation. It is hoped that licensing of security operatives will improve the reputation of the security industry.
There have been many attempts to introduce legislation, from Bruce George MP in the 1970s who introduced the first private members bill on the subject to the Conservative Government's abortive attempt to introduce a Bill immediately prior to the 1997 General Election (Home Office Minister David Maclean released a Consultation Paper in December 1996, with the deadline for replies falling at the end of March 1997. Sadly this clashed with the announcement of the General Election and Regulation was quietly dropped.)
The Labour Government came into office in May 1997 with a Manifesto commitment to regulate the private security industry. The industry held its breath while Ministers wrestled with a very crowded legislative agenda. However, the Private Security Industry Bill has made it through Parliament unscathed.
Contents
MP criticises Security Industry Act
Private Security Industry Act receives Royal Assent
Implementing regulation might take longer than expected - BSIA
Private Security Industry Bill set to gain Royal Assent
Licensing plans should stay as they are, says JSIC
Industry wants in-house staff licensed, says Group 4
Private Security Industry Bill close to becoming law
Regulation Bill set to be passed before election
License IT security consultants, urges Smith
IT security consultants won't need licences
Inspectors of the Security Industry Authority could invade your home!
Progress on the passage of the Private Security Industry Bill
Regulation Bill hits the right note, says Clarke
Home Office publishes Private Security Industry Bill
Private Security Industry Bill now available online
Group 4 warns against two-tier manned guarding industry
BSIA welcomes regulation Bill but wants more
ASC seeks clear definition of security consultants
Government has got Bill right, says NACOSS
SITO expects Security Industry Authority role
Door supervisors set for two-day training
Could industry regulation still be shelved?
In-house door supervision: will our staff need licences?
In-house CCTV operatives won't need licences
User Group and BSIA want CCTV operatives licensed
House of Lords debates regulation Bill
Regulation Bill: Minister cautions against optimism
Deep impact
What impact would the Bill have on you? The Home Office says the aim of the Bill is to protect and reassure the public by preventing unsuitable people getting into positions of trust within designated sections of the private security industry and to raise standards generally within the industry.
So a regulated industry would help to improve the image of the industry by reassuring the public that everything possible was being done to drive out the cowboys. It should also mean greater respect for security officers, who will have the backing of a licensing body, the Security Industry Authority, to establish their credentials.
If you are a door supervisor, a contract security officer, a wheelclamper, private investigator, security consultant or contract keyholder, you will fall within the remit of this legislation. This means that you will have to apply for a license from the Security Industry Authority. The criteria for issuing licenses will be decided by the SIA but will include a criminal records check through the Criminal Records Bureau, once established. Front-line security staff are not the only ones who will have to apply for licenses: directors and partners of security firms as well as supervisory staff would be included.
Offences
The Bill would create a number of new offences, including:
The Private Security Industry Bill will bring great changes to the security industry, in terms of how it operates and its status and respect with the public. But don't rush out to get your security licences just yet - regulation won't be implemented until next year at the earliest, and the BSIA has warned that it may take longer for the Government to get the thing up and running.
Keep logging on to SecurityPark to stay up to speed with the regulation process!
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