The S12 has submitted its formal response to the Home Office consultation on recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry, along with a letter confirming its wholehearted support of MR7 and MR8.
The consultation focuses on two key recommendations for the sector:
1. To review whether in-house CCTV operators should be licensed (MR7)
2. To consider whether contractors who carry out security services should be licensed (MR8)
It was noted that two CCTV operators working at the arena at the time of the devastating terror attack in 2017 had different levels of vetting and training. One was a contractor and required to hold an SIA licence, while the other was in-house and therefore exempt from licensing.
As well as potential licensing for CCTV operators, the report asks whether the same logic should also apply to other in-house operatives, including close protection, security guarding and cash/valuables in transit.
At the same time, the current regime does not allow the SIA to maintain appropriate oversight of security companies or individuals who lead them, nor does it have the necessary tools, under the PSIA 2001, to take enforcement action.
The S12 fully supports the introduction of mandatory business licensing, but any changes must be proportionate, viable and workable for the industry.
In the letter, S12 Chair Paul Evans, states: "Whilst fully in support of both proposals, we also believe that firm consideration should be given to awarding the industry regulator, the Security Industry Authority, additional powers, most notably those that relate to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).
"The S12 would support any move that further enhances the performance of the regulator, and it is clear, based on levels of organised crime and corruption observed, that such powers would offer even more protection to the public.
"Representing companies that account for broadly a third of all security officers, we also wish to offer the SIA and Home Office the potential of using the S12 as a ‘testbed’ for the new legislation if successfully taken through the relevant and appropriate channels."
We now await the results of the formal consultation in due course.
You can read the letter in full below.
