Private security industry to be regulated

The government is to introduce legislation to overhaul the regulation of the private security industry in Northern Ireland and bring it into line with the rest of Great Britain, Security Minister Paul Goggins confirmed today.

The remit of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) – the national regulatory body for the industry – is to be extended into Northern Ireland under the new legislation.

The new legislation follows an extensive consultation process on the future of the industry which will also require the licensing of all individuals working within the private security sector.

Commenting on this, 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 practice 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.”

It is unlikely that SIA regulation will commence in Northern Ireland straight away.

In the meantime, the NIO will continue to have responsibility for the issuing of licenses to private security companies.

The NIO will also be amending its current legislation to exclude those who are engaged in criminal activity from obtaining a licence.

(EF)