Vigilance can confirm that a second SIA conference to discuss plans for the future regulation of the private security industry will be held in Sheffield on 12 October.
The Commitment to Regulation conference will consider the developing proposals for the new regulatory regime, outline progress since the last conference, and discuss the security requirements for the London Olympics and Paralympics Games 2012.
Vigilance learnt that the SIA is this year hosting two conferences to ensure that there is adequate opportunity for consultation and discussion on the future regime. The Sheffield event follows the previous conference in London in March where the SIA’s Blueprint for regulation was outlined and discussed.
A source at the SIA said places for the October conference are limited and would be allocated on a first come first served basis. Registration closes on 28 September 2011.
In October 2010, the Government announced a "phased transition to a new regulatory regime" for the private security industry. The SIA is currently working with the Government and security industry to plan how private security in the UK will be regulated in the future. The new regulation will build on the successes of SIA licensing and the Approved Contractor Scheme. There will be no major changes to SIA regulation or the ACS before the London Olympics 2012.
Currently the Private Security Industry Act 2001 remains law. It is a criminal offence for security operatives and those deploying them to work in licensable activities without a valid SIA licence. The SIA and our partners continue to ensure that the law is properly enforced.