Security Industry still needs licensing, states International Professional Security Association

IPSA states that SIA needs to continue with its task of ensuring that the public is not placed unnecessarily at risk

The International Professional Security Association believes that the intention in the leaked government memo, which the BBC has obtained, paints an inaccurate picture of the security industry and that the abolition of the Security Industry Authority would be a severe step backwards.

The security industry and the employees within the industry may welcome the financial relief of removing the costs of licensing, however the risk of the criminal element re-entering the industry is still too great to justify abolishing licenses. With cuts likely to be made in the budgets of all police services, now is a time when the private security industry which will take up the slack, needs to be licensed by government to ensure public confidence remains high.

Whilst licensing started in 2003, it was introduced in various stages and has been in place for a relatively short time in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The positive benefits to the industry in England and Wales must be seen to be implemented in these countries as well.

Greater financial prudence and taking advantage of improvements in technology in areas such as the Criminal Records Bureau should be sufficient to reduce the costs and hence lessen the financial burden on the industry, without reducing the benefits brought in by licensing.

As a trade association with a membership consisting of both individuals and companies, IPSA wishes to encourage the government to not make any hasty decisions and to allow the Security Industry Authority to continue with its task of ensuring that the public is not placed unnecessarily at risk.