Regulation of the private security industry in Northern Ireland will come into line with the rest of the United Kingdom by the end of next year, Security Minister Paul Goggins confirmed on October 2.
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has committed to a timetable that will see training leading to the SIA approved qualifications being available by the end of this year. The SIA will start accepting licence applications and applications to the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) by the following May. Government intends to commence the legislation in December 2009.<br><br>Paul Goggins believes the new regulation arrangements will bring major benefits, both for the industry and for the people of Northern Ireland. He said: “Extending the remit of the Security Industry Authority to Northern Ireland will strengthen public confidence and achieve the regulation that the industry wants.<br>“These new arrangements will enhance safeguards for those operating within the industry and drive out illegal operators.<br><br>“This is good news for both those in the industry as well as the people of Northern Ireland. <br><br>“Companies who invest in training their staff have nothing to fear, whilst the public can be reassured that those within the industry are operating lawfully and to the highest standards.”<br><br>Andy Drane, SIA Deputy Chief Executive and leader of the implementation programme said: “Regulation in Northern Ireland by the SIA will ensure standards of training and professionalism in the private security industry are the same across the United Kingdom. The public will benefit from one regulator and one licensing scheme, which will allow them to have greater confidence in a regulated and professional industry.”<br><br>Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland responsible for Criminal Justice said: “We welcome the announcement that the Security Industry Authority’s remit will be extended to Northern Ireland next year. The implementation of the SIA licensing scheme to Northern Ireland will help improve standards and promote best practice within the industry. The Police Service will work closely with the SIA to promote public safety and reduce any criminality.”<br><br>A project board has been set up to manage the delivery of the new regulatory scheme which includes senior representatives from the Northern Ireland Office, the Home Office and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. There is also a senior observer from the Private Security Authority, which regulates in the Republic of Ireland.<br><br>Timetable for implementation:<br><br>· December 2008 training leading to the SIA approved qualifications will be available in Northern Ireland.<br>· May 2009 – the SIA will start accepting licence applications and applications to the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS). <br>· December 2009– it will become illegal to engage in licensable conduct in Northern Ireland without a licence. <br>The sectors requiring a licence in Northern Ireland are:<br>· Cash and Valuables in Transit (contracted) <br>· Close protection (contracted)<br>· Door supervision (in house and contracted)<br>· Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) (contracted)<br>· Security Guarding (contracted)<br>· Key Holding (contracted)<br>· Vehicle immobilising (in house and contracted).<br><br>The proposal to extend the remit of the SIA to Northern Ireland was put out for public consultation by the Northern Ireland Office in August 2006. The results showed an overwhelming desire within the industry for regulation and that this should be in line with best practice in Great Britain.<br><br>The British Security Industry Association welcomed the announcement.<br><br>BSIA Chief Executive, David Dickinson, said: "BSIA members in Northern Ireland have been calling for the robust regulation of the industry in the region for a number of years. The implementation of licensing by the Security Industry Authority will put Northern Ireland on an equal footing with the rest of the UK where regulation has already been successfully established."<br><br>"Vitally, the introduction of licensing will also remove a minority of unscrupulous operators from the industry as an individual’s criminal record and identity will be checked before they are issued with a licence. Levels of professionalism within the industry in Northern Ireland will be increased thanks not only to these checks, but also to the compulsory training that individuals will have to undergo before they obtain a licence."<br><br>"As with regulation in the rest of the UK, this will not be without cost which inevitably has implications for the customer. However, experience elsewhere has shown with increased certainty that this investment will bring real value. It is clear that businesses will reap the rewards of a licensed and professionalised industry. They will have peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that their premises are being looked after by trained and licensed officers."
