From December 2009 Northern Ireland will join Security Industry Authority (SIA) regulation, when it will be law for individuals working within designated sectors of the private security industry to have a Security Industry Authority licence.
The introduction of regulation of the private security industry brings Northern Ireland in line with England, Scotland and Wales, where licensing has already been introduced over the past few years. The new regulations apply to anyone involved in door supervision at licensed premises, contracted security guarding, Public Space Surveillance CCTV operation, and other private security provisions.
Michael Wilson, the SIA’s Chief Executive, says: “The introduction of regulation to the private security industry in Northern Ireland is great news for both businesses and employees in the security industry as well as the general public in Northern Ireland.”
“As has been proved across the rest of the UK, it will have many positive benefits for businesses. Not only will it prevent unsuitable individuals from securing positions of trust in the private security industry and within private security businesses, but the general public in Northern Ireland will also have increased peace of mind that businesses or premises are being secured by trained and licensed individuals.”
“Businesses that use contracted security personnel will also be assured that their business is being protected by suitable and trustworthy individuals. Regulation will help to raise standards of competence and professionalism in the industry and will provide recognition for companies and individuals who do operate to high standards and who have invested in training.”
From December 2009 it will be compulsory for anyone working in the designated security industry roles in Northern Ireland to hold an SIA licence and it will become an offence for anyone employed within a licensed sector of the industry to operate without an SIA licence.
SIA approved qualifications, essential to regulation, will become available across Northern Ireland in December this year. However, businesses and individuals can find out more about how the new regulation will affect them and how it is currently operating in other parts of the UK by visiting www.the-sia.org.uk
Notes
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 – Other representative from the Republic of Ireland.
Timetable for implementation:
· December 2008 training leading to the SIA approved qualifications will be available in Northern Ireland.
· May 2009 – the SIA will start accepting licence applications and applications to the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).
· December 2009– it will become illegal to engage in licensable conduct in Northern Ireland without a licence.
The sectors requiring a licence in Northern Ireland are:
· Cash and Valuables in Transit (contracted)
· Close protection (contracted)
· Door supervision (in house and contracted)
· Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) (contracted)
· Security Guarding (contracted)
· Key Holding (contracted)
· Vehicle immobilising (in house and contracted)
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.
