SIA to Regulate Private Security Industry

The remit of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is to be extended into Northern Ireland, creating a single United Kingdom regulatory scheme for the private security industry.

Following consultation by the Northern Ireland Office to explore options for regulating the private security industry in Northern Ireland, Paul Goggins MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, today announced the future of the industry.

Security Minister Paul Goggins said:

"The consultation process showed that there is an overwhelming desire within the industry for regulation and that this should be in line with best practise in the UK.

Extending the remit of the SIA into Northern Ireland will achieve this and will be a major improvement on the current arrangements.

It will also improve the standard of the service provided by companies, protect the reputable operators and drive out those who have been acting with little regard to the law."

Welcoming the announcement, Robin Dahlberg, SIA Acting Chairman said:

"A single UK-wide regulatory body for the private security industry, with one licensing scheme and agreed standards, creates tremendous commercial opportunities for the industry and long-awaited safeguards for the public.

Building on the success of regulation in England and Wales, and with the introduction of licensing in Scotland in 2007, the industry, the police, and importantly, the public, can now expect improved standards of training, professionalism and probity across the UK’s private security industry."