News from the SIA
14 September 2009: The Security Industry Authority is calling for views on whether a generic SIA licence should be introduced.
At present, SIA licence cards are specific to each sector. Operatives working in more than one sector may need to be issued with multiple licences.
The two options set out in the consultation are:
- to introduce a single generic licence card covering all of the licensable activities that the holder is qualified to undertake; or
- to continue to issue sector-specific and multiple licences.
If option one were introduced, all licence cards would look the same. Information on the licensable activities the holder is legally able to undertake would be accessed through the publicly available online register.
The potential benefits are that a single licence would reduce the need to hold and display multiple licences, which would reduce burden for the holder and may also lower the cost of holding more than one licence.
SIA Director of Strategy and Corporate Services Hazel Russell said:
"We are always looking for ways to reduce the administrative burdens on licence holders. We hope this consultation generates a lot of interest which could lead eventually to improvements to the way that we licence individual operatives working in the UK private security industry."
Notes to Editors
- Neither option would make any change to training requirements or to the SIA's regulatory priorities.
- At this stage, the SIA is seeking general views and feedback. If responses show support for changing the framework, further detailed work would be carried out.
- The Security Industry Authority regulates the private security industry in Great Britain under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, reporting to the Home Secretary. Its main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme approving private security suppliers.
- We are committed to the Regulators' Compliance Code, a statutory code of practice for regulators that promotes a risk-based, proportionate and targeted approach.
Category: Industry News