The key findings of the consultation were that the majority of respondents were in favour of the introduction of business licensing, the regulation of in house security provision and the transition of the Approved Contractor Scheme to an industry led Hallmark Scheme.
One of the issues at the forefront of the debate over the future regulation of the private security industry is whether businesses should be licenced to provide security services. According to the findings of the consultation, "half of all respondents agreed with the Government's proposal for phased transition to a business regulation regime. 36% were against the proposals while 14% didn't know."
The BSIA asked the same question in a survey of its members and received a more positive response in favour of business regulation. 64% of the respondents to the BSIA survey ruled in favour of business regulation, while 23% rejected the proposals and 13% were unsure.
In House Licencing
One of the key themes of the consultation was addressed in the question, "do you believe that companies providing in house security should be regulated under the new regime?" Over 80% of respondents concluded that in house security should be part of any new regulatory requirements. However, despite this consensus, the Home Office responded to the findings with the following:
"As outlined in the consultation document the Home Office has given consideration to whether in house security providers should be included within business regulation requirements, but believes that it would be better to review this issue after the new regime has been established. The responses to this question will be taken into account as part of that review along with the evidence relating to whether in house security operatives are in contact or pose a threat to members of the public."
Most of the respondents expressed the view that "all security providers should be subject to the same requirements and standards." However, most responses focused on whether individuals working in house should be subject to licencing requirements rather whether businesses that provide this service should be subject to regulation themselves.
Transition from the Approved Contractor Scheme to an Industry-led Hallmark Scheme
Respondents were also asked to decide whether they agree with the following statement:
"It is proposed that the current Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) should be passed on to an industry body to administer in order to give the industry greater responsibility for setting standards."
55% percent agreed that the administration of the ACS should be passed on to an industry body, while 37% disagreed and 8% were unsure. When the BSIA were challenged with the same statement, 64% of their members agreed, 24% disagreed and 11% were unsure. The BSIA also had the following to say on the matter:
"The proposal for the transition to a future hallmark standard to the industry was welcomed, but in the current economic climate, pressure remains to reduce the cost burden further than increase it, and this - together with the overall cost of any future regulatory regime - must be considered carefully by the Home Office and the Security Industry Association as part of the consultation.
A hallmark standard....... the country seems to be stepping over to many 'standards', wonder who will be setting this one? no doubt some seat polishers with no idea and very little common sense.
Not being cynical - honest guv.
One of the issues at the forefront of the debate over the future regulation of the private security industry is whether businesses should be licenced to provide security services. According to the findings of the consultation, "half of all respondents agreed with the Government's proposal for phased transition to a business regulation regime. 36% were against the proposals while 14% didn't know."
The BSIA asked the same question in a survey of its members and received a more positive response in favour of business regulation. 64% of the respondents to the BSIA survey ruled in favour of business regulation, while 23% rejected the proposals and 13% were unsure.
In House Licencing
One of the key themes of the consultation was addressed in the question, "do you believe that companies providing in house security should be regulated under the new regime?" Over 80% of respondents concluded that in house security should be part of any new regulatory requirements. However, despite this consensus, the Home Office responded to the findings with the following:
"As outlined in the consultation document the Home Office has given consideration to whether in house security providers should be included within business regulation requirements, but believes that it would be better to review this issue after the new regime has been established. The responses to this question will be taken into account as part of that review along with the evidence relating to whether in house security operatives are in contact or pose a threat to members of the public."
Most of the respondents expressed the view that "all security providers should be subject to the same requirements and standards." However, most responses focused on whether individuals working in house should be subject to licencing requirements rather whether businesses that provide this service should be subject to regulation themselves.
Transition from the Approved Contractor Scheme to an Industry-led Hallmark Scheme
Respondents were also asked to decide whether they agree with the following statement:
"It is proposed that the current Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) should be passed on to an industry body to administer in order to give the industry greater responsibility for setting standards."
55% percent agreed that the administration of the ACS should be passed on to an industry body, while 37% disagreed and 8% were unsure. When the BSIA were challenged with the same statement, 64% of their members agreed, 24% disagreed and 11% were unsure. The BSIA also had the following to say on the matter:
"The proposal for the transition to a future hallmark standard to the industry was welcomed, but in the current economic climate, pressure remains to reduce the cost burden further than increase it, and this - together with the overall cost of any future regulatory regime - must be considered carefully by the Home Office and the Security Industry Association as part of the consultation.
A hallmark standard....... the country seems to be stepping over to many 'standards', wonder who will be setting this one? no doubt some seat polishers with no idea and very little common sense.
Not being cynical - honest guv.