Proposed dates for the regulation of Scotland’s private security industry have been announced.
There has been a first meeting of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licensing Scotland Project Board.
Speaking in Edinburgh, Andy Drane, Deputy Chief Executive of the SIA and Licensing-Scotland Project Head, announced the board’s intentions for introducing security licensing in Scotland: training leading to the SIA approved qualifications to be available in Scotland from September 2006; licence applications to be issued from February 2007, and for it to become illegal to work in the designated areas in Scotland without a licence towards the end of 2007.
Andy Drane said: “Regulation in Scotland by the SIA will ensure standards of training and professionalism in the private security industry are the same across Great Britain. The public will benefit from one regulator and one licensing scheme which will allow them to have confidence in a regulated and trusted industry, and Scottish security businesses will not be disadvantaged in a competitive market.”
Scottish Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said: “Regulation, through the SIA, will provide reassurance by preventing unsuitable people from obtaining positions of trust in the private security industry. It will ensure that security personnel are fit and proper people who are competent to perform their duties. It will also benefit legitimate private security businesses and staff in driving up standards and driving out the small minority of operators who are tarnishing their good name by using the industry as a front for illegal activities. The project board will play a key part in taking this project forward and help us in delivering a consistent licensing regime throughout Great Britain which enables the Scottish security industry to thrive while giving the public the increased assurance and protection they need.”
Small print
The Licensing Scotland Board will be responsible for authorising each stage of regulation implementation and will comprise three permanent members, including a senior representative from the Scottish Executive, and one non-permanent member.
Door staff and wheel clamper timetables have been put back across England and Wales because of delays in applications and the paperwork. The Scottish board has said that the announced dates are subject to ministerial approval and may be subject to change. In such cases the SIA will publicise any alterations.
Licensing for Scottish defence precognition agents, who interview prosecution witnesses on behalf of the defence agents prior to cases going to court, and who only operate in Scotland, will follow as part of the second phase of implementation. Regulation for this sector is expected to begin in late 2007.
Licensable sectors are as in England and Wales except vehicle immobilisers (in-house and contractors) will not be licenced in Scotland. The licensable sectors, then are: door supervisors (in-house and contractors); security (contractors only); Cash and Valuables in Transit (contractors only); Public Space Surveillance CCTV (contractors only); Key Holders (contractors only); Security Consultants (contractors only); and Private Investigators (contractors only).
Approved contractor scheme
An approved contractor scheme for security companies will be introduced, as in England and Wales. Under this scheme, security companies will be able to apply to the SIA for recognition that they have met set criteria and will be able to advertise themselves as SIA approved contractors. Licensing for defence precognition agents, who interview prosecution witnesses on behalf of defence agents prior to cases going to court, and who only operate in Scotland, will follow as part of the second phase of implementation. The SIA project manager will develop a programme for this work, with regulation for this group is expected to begin in late 2007.
BSIA welcome
The British Security Industry Association has welcomed the announcement of a February 2007 start to licensing of security staff.
The BSIA points to its lobbying for regulation for well over a decade before the Private Security Industry Act 2001 became law, leading to the setting up of the Security Industry Authority. After some years’ delay and ‘consultation’, the Scottish Executive decided not to run its own SIA and to go in with the SIA already running in England and Wales. This decision required its own legislation; the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, among its many provisions, extends the remit of the Security Industry Authority to Scotland.
Eric Alexander, Chairman of the BSIA’s Scottish Guarding Committee, said: “Licensing in England and Wales is well underway, with a compliance date of 20 March 2006. So it is important that licensing commences in Scotland as soon as possible, so that there are no loopholes for unscrupulous individuals and companies to exploit. The high profile activities of a minority of rogue security firms, especially in the Glasgow area, has made it difficult for quality security companies to gain true recognition for the valuable contribution they make to society, protecting both people and assets. Licensing will bring much needed credibility to this role and we look forward to working with the Scottish Executive and the Security Industry Authority to bring about positive change."
Some 22 BSIA security guarding companies operate in Scotland, covering guarding and cash handling.
