§ Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What support they will provide to companies in the private security industry to become compliant with operational standards and practices considered to be in the public interest; and [HL3358]
§ Whether they are satisfied with the regulation of the private security industry; if not, what measures they intend to introduce; and when those are likely to be introduced and become effective; and [HL3359]
§ Whether there is adequate access for private security companies to appropriate information about current and future employees in the interests of improving their screening requirements; and [HL3360]
§ When the licensing of security officers will begin; and who, among staff of private security companies, will be included. [HL3361]
§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA), we have put in place measures for the effective regulation of the industry. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will license people to work in various sectors of the industry. These arrangements will be introduced in phases. Licensing of door supervisors commenced in the pilot area of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in March of this year, and will roll out across England and Wales over the next 10 months. Licensing of door supervisors will be followed later this year by that of vehicle immobilisers, with the manned guarding sector (security officers) and key holders in early to mid-2005, although no set dates have yet been confirmed. The final sector to be subject to regulation will be that of security consultants and private investigators in 2006.
§ Anyone involved with work of a security guarding nature will require a licence, and the PSIA makes provision for employees, employers, managers, supervisors and directors of security companies to be licensed.
§ The authority's procedures include three checks on people applying for licences:
§ an identity check of the licence applicant,
§ a criminal record check at standard disclosure level through the Criminal Records Bureau, which includes information about all convictions—including any that are spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act—cautions, reprimands and warnings recorded centrally on the Police national computer, and
§ a check on professional competence to do the job.
33WA§ As to companies engaged in the industry, the authority's voluntary approved contractor scheme (ACS), is expected to come into effect from the summer of 2005. The ACS will provide consumers and industries with an assurance that what is being accredited is competent, committed to quality and adheres to professional standards. The scheme will allow the SIA to guide and facilitate the industry, and ensure that it is focused on internal performance standards and quality of delivery.
§ The principal objective of the measures is to raise performance standards in the industry, thereby promoting increased public trust and confidence and assist in nurturing development opportunities.