Resolving the topic of business licensing requires a considered, rather than quick, resolution, writes Pat Allen, Chairman of the Fire and Security Association (FSA).
Business licensing has been a key issue for the private security industry for over a decade. It was first introduced as an attempt to reduce criminality, raise standards and recognise quality service within the manned guarding sectors, typically Door Supervision, Cash and Valuables In Transit (CVIT), Close Protection, Security Guarding and Public Space Surveillance (CCTV).
This is a very noble aim, and one which is, in my opinion, entirely correct, but part of the problem is that within the security industry there is a big divide between the roles and responsibilities of those who carry out manned guarding and those who install security and emergency systems. While these two very different groups interact and play a key role in ensuring clients’ buildings, possessions and lives are safe, there are and always have been different approaches to proving an individual’s or a business’ competence in their area of work, in both groups, because of the differences in the roles they play within the industry.
This situation heightened in 2012 following a consultation led by the then Coalition Government supported by the Scottish Government and Justice for Northern Ireland who publicly stated their commitment and support to the regulatory reforms around business licensing. Since then the industry has seen the goal posts moved numerous times on the expected implementation date, and part of the reason behind this delay is because of the issues around red tape and deregulation.
By far the biggest area of discussion is what constitutes ‘manned guarding’. Part of the work carried out by Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) and Remote Video Response Centres (RVRCs), as part of their contracted activities in monitoring the public or to identify a ‘person’, brings elements of their work within the scope of the definition. As a result, these businesses are required to have licensed operatives under the Private Security Industry Act (2001), and, in turn, would require them to have a business license in the future.
There are positives and negatives to this scenario. Introducing business licensing for these types of businesses would create a commercially level playing field with the emphasis on delivering a quality service to clients and consumers. It would also reduce the growth of unregulated ARCs – a welcome result in an industry where genuine firms can find themselves losing contracts to those who aren’t regulated but are able to exploit client’s naivety.
However these positives are outweighed by the fact that businesses in our industry undergo regular UKAS auditing, to prove their competence. In a sense, these companies could be construed as operating with a business license already, so introducing another formal requirement for more certification on top of what we already have would put an unnecessary burden on them. It is also worth pointing out that forcing ARCs or RVRCs to comply with business licensing requirements in their current form would require these firms to be certified against British Standards that are not specific to the environment in which they operate in – one of many points we raised earlier this year when we discussed this issue with the SIA.
I would hope that with a new Government in place, ministers eager to get on with the task in hand and every expectation that business licensing will be introduced that it will be used as a ‘vehicle’ for existing compliance in a streamlined and effective way for the industry, and, more importantly, to address the unregulated market. I would also hope that any new licensing regime will avoid saddling companies that already meet the relevant British Standards with further, unnecessary costs. It’s a big ask, and this isn’t an issue that can be solved overnight, but if Government is prepared to work with the industry and understand the rationale behind our objections, I am sure we can reach a conclusion that works for everyone.
