02/04/2003

Regulatory body for security guards and bouncers launched

In a shake up of the private security industry announced today bouncers and wheel clampers will have to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority (SIA).

The measures are designed to protect the public from rogue operators and create higher standards of recruitment and training for private security operatives and managers.

Bouncers, 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 SIA is an independent body which was launched today at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster, by Home Office Minister Lord Falconer.

These 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 20 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."

(GMcG)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

07 December 2009
Clampdown Targets 'Rogue' Security Firms
All firms providing private security for the Scottish Government will now have to have earned the 'approved contractor' kitemark. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill made the announcement ahead of a meeting on Tuesday of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce.
16 June 2003
BT wins £23m security licensing contract
BT, through its consulting and systems integration business Syntegra, has been awarded a £23 million four-year contract by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) to design, build and manage a complete business information system and contact centre.
06 December 2011
Olympic Games To Overshoot Budget
The 2012 Games will exceed its £9.3bn budget without "rigorous action" to cut costs, an Olympics spending watchdog has said.
07 August 2009
Paras Killed In Afghanistan Blast
Three British soldiers have been killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced today. The servicemen from the Parachute Regiment, died after their Jackal armoured vehicle was hit by an explosion and small-arms fire north of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province on Thursday afternoon.
20 July 2007
Hospital worker suspended in porn investigation
An NHS medical photographer has been suspended after pornographic material was allegedly found on a computer at a children's hospital in Edinburgh. The material is believed to have been found during routine computer security monitoring at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.