Legislation - Manned Guarding
BS7858 | BS7499 | BS7984 | Private Security Industry Act
BS7858 - Security Screening of individuals employed in a security environment
This British Standard gives recommendations for the vetting of personnel employed in an environment where the security and safety of people, goods or property is a requirement.
- The standard requires S.C.A.M.P. Security to establish by direct reference to former employers, government departments, educational authorities, etc., with confirmation in writing, a continuous record of employment or history for 10 years or back to school leaving whichever is the shorter, on a month-by-month basis.
- Applicants are required to declare details of all cautions and/or convictions for criminal offences, including motoring offences and pending action not covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
- S.C.A.M.P. Security must obtain two written character references from two relevant persons with personal knowledge of the person being screened.
- Applicants original birth certificate and marriage certificate (where relevant), or military service documents or valid full passport must be inspected.
BS7499 - Static Site Guarding and Mobile Patrol Services Code of Practice
This British Standard gives recommendations for the management, staffing and operation of a security company providing manned guarding services on a static or mobile patrol assignment.
- The standard lays down requirements for Security Company’s. (e.g. proper management structure, adequate insurance, proper procedures for employees, written contracts with terms and conditions, shift patterns, etc.)
- Requires employees to carry photographic identity cards.
- Requires employees to have a minimum of two days induction training plus other training such as assignment, specialist, refresher etc as and when required.
- The standard also lays down the detailed requirement and procedure for control rooms, which includes the checking, issuing and receipt of premise keys.
BS7984 - Code of Practice for Keyholding and Response Services
This British Standard gives recommendations for the management, staffing and operation of an organization providing keyholding and response services on a contracted basis.
- The standard lays down the requirements for the control of premise keys (initial receipt, issuing, storage, returning and disposal)
- The standard also lays down the detailed requirement and procedures for Response Centres (Control Room) such as the provision of assistance, information or advice for response officers in routine and emergency situations.
The Private Security Industry Act 2001
The private security industry act received royal assent in May 2001 and
is intended to govern all sectors of the private security industry.
Some of the reasons for regulation are to raise standards, ensure greater
consistency, vet people working in the industry (in particular, to exclude
criminal elements) and to allow companies providing a satisfactory service
measured against relevant agreed standards to receive recognition.
As a result of the act, a new body (The
Security Industry Authority (SIA)) has been established and is responsible
for regulating the industry. This includes the licensing of individuals
and approval of companies, monitoring the activities of those working
in the industry, conducting inspections and approving the standards of
conduct, training and supervision with the industry.
A key requirement of the act is that operatives in the following sectors must be licensed:
- Door supervisors both in-house and supplied under contract,
- Vehicle immobilisers on private land both in-house and supplied under contract
- Security guards supplied under contract
- Key holders supplied under contract
- Close protection operatives supplied under contract
- Cash and valuables in transit operatives supplied under contract
- CCTV (public space surveillance) operatives supplied under contract
- Private investigators supplied under contract
All staff must be licensed including contractors, directors and partners
of security companies, employees of security contractors and companies
and security staff supplied by an agency including agency employees, directors
and partners.
In order to apply for a licence, an individual must be over 18 years of age, pass an identity check, a criminal record check and (in the case of ‘front-line’ operatives) have received SIA approved training and gained a subsequent qualification.A licensed operative must then wear the licence where it can be seen at all times when working (unless it has been reported lost or stolen, or it is in the possession of the SIA). It is an offence both to work and to employ somebody to work, in a licensable sector without a licence (or suitable dispensation such as the SIA’s approved contractor scheme).
As a requirement of the act, the SIA has established the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) in order to “raise performance standards and assist the private security industry in developing new opportunities”. A register of approved contractors can be found here.
The full text of The Private Security Industry Act 2001 can be accessed here
