Regulating the Security Industry
The private security industry covers a number of services. These
include security guarding, door supervision and vehicle clamping.
The industry employs about 500,000 people across the United
Kingdom. About half are employed on a contract basis rather than
directly employed by security companies, and are subject to
regulation.
The Security Industry Authority was set up in April 2003 with
the objectives of improving standards in the private security
industry and reducing crime in the sector. Before regulation
the security industry was seen as an underperforming industry which
had poor competitiveness and performance. It also found it
difficult to respond to the market’s needs, a high staff turnover
of 30 per cent a year, poor employment practices and quite a high
level of criminal activity.
The Security Industry Authority meets its objectives mainly by
licensing individuals who are subject to regulation. It has also
established a Voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme. The Scheme
provides accredited companies who use contract security staff to
obtain certain benefits. These include being able to use staff who
are waiting for a licence to be issued.
The Authority also has a duty to ensure that legislation is
complied with and enforced. Finally, it sets or approves standards
of conduct and training for the industry.
Our report
Regulating the Security Industry identified how effectively and
efficiently the Authority is operating in England and makes
recommendations for improvements. It examines:
- the Authority’s aims and objectives and some of the key
operational issues facing the Authority in the future;
- how effectively the Authority has introduced Licensing and the
Approved Contractor Scheme;
- the Authority’s performance against the Government’s key
principles of good regulation; and
- how it manages its compliance and enforcement activities with
partners such as the police.