GMB Response to SIA review
GMB SAY THE PUBLIC WILL BE PUT AT RISK IF LICENSING OF
SECURITY INDUSTRY IS REMOVED BY GOVERNMENT
As it is important to remember that licensing in the
security industry was brought in to keep out crooks, drug dealers
and those convicted of criminal assaults to protect the public and
create decent standards in the industry
GMB, the main Union in the
private security industry, commented on the announcement by the
Home Office that it intends to consult regarding the future of the
Security Industry Authority (SIA) that licenses security companies
and security staff and maintains standards in the industry. As of
June 2010, the total number of approved security contractors was
672. There are almost 350,000 security workers with valid SIA
licenses across the UK.
Paul Kenny, GMB General
Secretary said, “GMB understands that the
government is looking at all sorts of things as you would
expect. This is not about red tape and it would be a serious
mistake to confuse a measure that is on the Statute Book to protect
the public as ‘red tape’.
It is important to
remember that licensing in the security industry was brought in to
keep out crooks, drug dealers and those convicted of criminal
assaults to protect the public and create decent standards in the
industry. If the security licensing authority is removed it will
hit decent employers, it will expose the public to unnecessary
risks and will undoubtedly end in tears and in the
courts.
GMB is happy to
provide evidence as to why a move to abolish the SIA would be
disastrous and be a threat to the safety of the
public.”
Ends
Contact:
Jude Brimble, GMB National Officer on 07850 974198 or Bob Crosby,
GMB National Officer on 07872 377531 or GMB Press Office: Steve
Pryle on 07921 289880 or Rose Conroy on 07974 251823.
Notes To
Editors:
1
Licensable Activities (Sectors)
The activities defined as
licensable by the 2001 Act are:
Manned guarding, which
includes:
o Cash
and Valuables in Transit
o Close
Protection
o Door
Supervision
o Public
Space Surveillance (CCTV)
o Security
Guard
· Immobilisation,
restriction and removal of vehicles
· Key
Holding
2 Text from
the SIA website at http://www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/
The Security Industry
Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the
private security industry. We are an independent body reporting to
the Home Secretary, under the terms of the Private
Security Industry Act 2001. Our mission is to regulate the
private security industry effectively; to reduce criminality, raise
standards and recognise quality service. Our remit covers the
United Kingdom. We have two main duties. One is the compulsory
licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within
the private security industry; the other is to manage the voluntary
Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security
suppliers against independently assessed criteria.
SIA
licensing covers manned guarding (including security guarding,
door supervision, close protection, cash and valuables in transit,
and public space surveillance using CCTV), key holding and vehicle
immobilising. Licensing ensures that private security operatives
are ‘fit and proper’ persons who are properly trained and qualified
to do their job.
Our Approved
Contractor Scheme introduced a set of operational and
performance standards for suppliers of private security services.
Those organisations that meet these standards are awarded Approved
Contractor status. This accreditation provides purchasers of
private security services with independent proof of a contractor's
commitment to quality.