| Background:
Due primarily to the absence of regulation and governance, the UK private security industry had become diseased with an element of unqualified, poorly equipped 'contractors', supplying customers whose sole purchasing consideration was cost. It was not surprising therefore that the outcome of many criminal investigations concluded "it was an inside job".
The Industry Today:
In 2001 HM Government passed the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The purpose was to disinfect the private security industry by introducing enforceable regulation, to drive out unscrupulous and criminal suppliers.
As investigations are unfolding and prosecutions resulting, other criminal offences and 'black economy' activities are simultaneously being discovered - benefit fraud and tax evasion, as typical examples.
The Act established the need for an independent security industry regulator, to take responsibility for enforcement, also for setting and maintaining industry standards. Reporting to the Home Secretary, the SIA (Security Industry Authority) was created in 2003.
To achieve this industrial deep cleaning, the Act of Parliament has set the SIA two primary objectives:
* Firstly, to establish and maintain a Best Practice standard for security contractors by way of an ACS (Approved Contractor Scheme). The ACS is hitherto a voluntary scheme where private security contractors who are ISO 9001:2000 registered and operating to (UKAS approved) audited standards are invited to apply for ACS registration - a hallmark for consumer and insurance company confidence. The SIA is also required by the Act to maintain a register of approved contractors.
* The second objective is mandatory, it is to licence all industry employees (including Managers and Directors), having successfully passed criminal background checks and undertaken specified training and examinations.
The purpose of these far reaching measures is firstly to enable buyers of security services to easily identify Best Practice contractors, moreover to eliminate a small criminal element from opting in and out of the industry, as has been the case, leaving in its wake a trail of bad press, mistrust and indifference.
Buyers and consumers are learning, often to their peril, it is unwise to contract the 'services' of such suppliers, who simply cannot deliver a credible/legitimate service at bargain basement prices.
For further information visit: http://www.valleysecurity.co.uk |
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