BSIA: Security industry welcomes Northern Ireland regulation

Thursday, 2 October 2008 12:00 AM

The British Security Industry Association has welcomed the announcement by the Northern Ireland Office to bring regulation of the private security industry in Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the United Kingdom.

BSIA Chief Executive, David Dickinson, comments: "BSIA members in Northern Ireland have been calling for the robust regulation of the industry in the region for a number of years. The implementation of licensing by the Security Industry Authority will put Northern Ireland on an equal footing with the rest of the UK where regulation has already been successfully established."

"Vitally, the introduction of licensing will also remove a minority of unscrupulous operators from the industry as an individual's criminal record and identity will be checked before they are issued with a licence. Levels of professionalism within the industry in Northern Ireland will be increased thanks not only to these checks, but also to the compulsory training that individuals will have to undergo before they obtain a licence."

"As with regulation in the rest of the UK, this will not be without cost which inevitably has implications for the customer. However, experience elsewhere has shown with increased certainty that this investment will bring real value. It is clear that businesses will reap the rewards of a licensed and professionalised industry. They will have peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that their premises are being looked after by trained and licensed officers."

BSIA members provide security guarding services across Northern Ireland. For more information, visit www.bsia.co.uk/guarding

Editor's Notes
The British Security Industry Association is the trade association covering all aspects of the professional security industry in the UK. Its 570 members provide over 70% of UK security products and services and adhere to strict quality standards. For more information see ,a href="http://www.bsia.co.uk" target="_blank">www.bsia.co.uk, email info@bsia.co.uk or telephone 0845 389 3889.

Press contacts: Kiri Gray 0845 389 0755 k.gray@bsia.co.uk
Naomi Ocansey 0845 389 0741 n.ocansey@bsia.co.uk

Tags: