Ram Man

One Security Regulator for the United Kingdom
2 October 2008: The Security Industry Authority (sia) is pleased to announce that its remit is to be extended to Northern Ireland in 2009, creating a single regulatory scheme for the private security industry throughout the United Kingdom.

• <LI class=EC_webbody>December 2008 - Training leading to the sia approved qualifications will be available in Northern Ireland <LI class=EC_webbody>May 2009 - The sia will start accepting licence applications and applications to the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)
• December 2009 - It will become illegal to engage in licensable conduct in Northern Ireland without a licence.

The sia has initiated a Project Board to manage the delivery of the project, under the Chairmanship of Andy Drane, SIA Deputy Chief Executive. The board includes senior representatives from the Northern Ireland Office, the Home Office and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. There is also a senior observer from the Private Security Authority, which regulates in the Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland's Security Minster Paul Goggins said:
"Extending the remit of the Security Industry Authority to Northern Ireland will achieve the regulation that the industry wants.
These new arrangements will enhance safeguards for those operating within the industry and drive out illegal operators.
This is good news for both those in the industry as well as the people of Northern Ireland.
Companies who invest in training their staff and training have nothing to fear, whilst the public can be reassured that those within the industry are operating lawfully and to the highest standards."
Andy Drane, SIA Deputy Chief Executive and leader of the implementation programme said:
"Regulation in Northern Ireland by the SIA will ensure standards of training and professionalism in the private security industry are the same across the United Kingdom. The public will benefit from one regulator and one licensing scheme, which will allow them to have greater confidence in a regulated and professional industry."
Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland responsible for Criminal Justice said:
"We welcome the announcement that the Security Industry Authority’s remit will be extended to Northern Ireland next year. The implementation of the SIA licensing scheme to Northern Ireland will help improve standards and promote best practice within the industry. The Police Service will work closely with the SIA to promote public safety and reduce any criminality."
Notes to Editors:

• <LI class=EC_webbody>The sectors requiring a licence in Northern Ireland are:
  • Cash and Valuables in Transit (contracted)
  • Close Protection (contracted)
  • Door Supervision (in-house and contracted)
  • Public Space Surveillance (CCTV) (contracted)
  • Security Guarding (contracted)
  • Key Holding (contracted)
  • Vehicle immobilising (in-house and contracted)
• The proposal to extend the remit of the sia to Northern Ireland was put out for public consultation by the Northern Ireland Office in August 2006. The results showed an overwhelming desire within the industry for regulation and that this should be in line with best practice in Great Britain

alanuk400

I am glad it is now official, I have been trying to convince security staff & doorstaff that this was coming in, but I couldn't find it in writing.

It now helps me in my business that there is going to be a level playing field over here.

Alan

VIP Security Chauffeur Hire Belfast

nozzer

I cant see door supervisors, SGs etc etc from the likes of Jonesborough, Cullyhanna crossmaglen rushing out to get on courses for this.
Ive been wrong before though (only once in the hot summer of 76) so may be wrong again.

littlewoman

Times are changing nozzer, I have heard they have TV licenses over there!

There are going to be complications with the lack of any document from the south that the sia accept as being proof of a lack of criminal record. There will be those along the border that work in the north but live in the south. The situation when I applied for my license (having lived in the south) was that (after being given three different pieces of wrong information) I had to write a declaration that I didn't have any record from the Republic of Ireland and get it signed by a solicitor. However the SIA have still not listed the criteria from the Irish Republic on their web site.

VICTORMACE

I agree with nozzer, Northern Ireland is weird and different, most guys from the above mentioned places will just stick two fingers up to you at the thought of regulation, I've already heard rumours that some bars and clubs will change the job discription and job title of their door supervisors in an attempt to by pass regulation, I mean if you're not actually employed as a DS you cant be regulated by the SIA. Its only a rumour circulating at the minute.

alanuk400

I have been on the doors in Belfast from 1990 & I think door staffs attitudes have changed in the majority, the problem I have found is the bar managers, owners where they employ the staff direct are not listening.

Alan

VIP Security Chauffeur Hire Belfast

alanuk400

It has been said in one meeting with a manager, "what happens if we employ 10 glass collectors then"

In general, bars have improved & accept inspection from the authorities, which wouldn't have happened 10 years ago.

Alan

VIP Security Chauffeur Hire Belfast

alanuk400

This is the Private Security Authority site in the South.

The Private Security Authority

The forms for the Garda check, are on the bottom right of this page to download, might be of help to anyone in your situation,

http://www.psa.gov.ie/Website/psa/psa.nsf/home?openform

Alan.

VIP Security Chauffeur Hire Belfast

nozzer

Things have improved mate, you can see that by just going out for a night in the likes of Belfast.

Im just not having it that any pubs, clubs, bars etc in the border regions will go for any type of change or any type of British licensing or inspection. On that same note, i cant see an sia inspector wandering around South Armagh looking for non licenced workers in non licenced bars ...

Id love to see it though, a newbie from the SIA being sent over here with instructions to slap a warning on DS at the 3 Steps Inn.

littlewoman