SIA will not continue as a Non-Departmental Public Body

Changes announced yesterday confirm that the SIA will not continue as a Non-Departmental Public Body, otherwise known as a ‘Quango’. There will be a phased transition to a new regulatory regime but it is not known what form this will take. Ministers in Scotland and Northern Ireland have indicated that they want continued regulation of the private security industry.



The reality is that the transition will take time and licensing in its current format will continue for the foreseeable future and potentially post Olympics. So for employers, security operatives and trainers it is business as usual. Licensing requirements remain and the SIA will continue to enforce these.



Tackling violence in the night time economy and towards public sector and retail workers is a priority of the new government. Security officers in hospitals and stores play a key role in public safety and security and door supervisors are guardians of the night time economy where violence peaks. The SIA has made a major contribution to the raising of standards in these functions and has a valuable role to play with industry in shaping the transition.



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