Sadly, for the second year running the Home Office minister (John Denham this time around, Charles Clarke in 2001) failed to deliver the keynote address, so the 150-plus delegates who filed through Broad Sanctuary to grill the powers-that-be were somewhat disappointed.
Nonetheless, an excellent agenda – presentations covered the formation and operation of the Security Industry Authority, the impact of the White Paper 'Policing A New Century' and IT security post the Act, with afternoon workshops to follow – more than made up for Mr Denham's absence.
In his opening address, JSIC president Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate talked about the reality of crime in the year 2002. "Successive Governments have attempted to build on existing social relationships, but the media has been responsible for a good deal of hype," he said. "The reality of crime for most people is not the murder or the bank robbery, but anti-social behaviour. That's where the private security industry can help improve matters."
Moving on to the day's major theme – the Home Office's bold plans for an 'extended police family' – Lord Mackenzie stressed that the police service was originally extended back in the 1960s thanks to the addition of special constables and traffic wardens. "Members of the Police Federation were hostile to both at the time," added Lord Mackenzie, "but they're not now". The major question is: what is it going to take for the police service to trust a private security industry that's been unregulated, and continues to suffer from a tarnished image?
"We need more than fine words from the security companies now," added Lord Mackenzie. "That goes for the end users, too. Security incidents cost UK businesses billions of pounds last year, with 44% of all end user companies suffering at least one breach costing an average of £30,000. In spite of that, nearly 60% of businesses are still not covered by insurance. That's an appalling indictment."
Concluding with an impassioned plea, Lord Mackenzie added that good security should be the right of everyone. "It shouldn't be linked to your post code or the size of your wallet," he opined. "And it's true to say that a licensed private sector could be the extra eyes and ears that a liberal democracy like ours needs."
Standing in for John Denham in delivering the keynote speech, a confident Molly Meacher – newly-installed chair of the Private Security Industry Authority – agreed that the White Paper 'Policing A New Century' presents "enormous opportunities" for the private security industry, but only if it embraces and harnesses the Private Security Industry Act.
"Street warden teams have been the focus of attention in recent times, " said Meacher, "but pretty soon manned security in shopping centres and on industrial estates will come into the equation. Officers working here can really do a job in supporting the police in their bid to cut down on nuisance crimes."
The industry is keen to learn what powers security officers might have in a post-regulation landscape. Not to disappoint, Meacher provided some timely clues. "Powers of fixed penalty notice would be an obvious one, as under Section 4 of the Road Traffic Offenders' Act," said Meacher. "They may have the power to request the names and addresses of those caught acting in an anti-social manner, but they will not be allowed to arrest and detain". Interestingly, Meacher added that around half of the 43 police forces have expressed an interest in this new police family – the Metropolitan Police included.
"Everybody knows about the security industry's problems," added Meacher. "Poor pay, limited training and a low public perception. It doesn't have to be that way. In the Nordic countries, security officers are respected members of society. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) gives us an opportunity to move in that direction."
Meacher harbours an underlying fear that the SIA may be on a hiding to nothing unless all parties in the industry join forces and support the terms of the Act. Quite right. Everyone must buy into regulation if it's going to take hold.
The SIA: formation and operation
The first major presentation of the day was delivered by Molly Meacher's counterpart at the SIA, namely chief executive John Saunders.
Saunders is keen that the Government and the private security sector should work in harmony to make the latter a respected profession. "We need to make it a market where there is real buyer interest," he suggested, a clear dig at the grudge purchase culture.
At present, there are around 100 staff deployed to work for the SIA. "That's a relatively small number," added Saunders, "but this will change with time. We're not talking about a five-minute 'quick fix' here, after all. If we want to establish an Authority that plays a key role in defeating crime, then we'll need a lean, core unit that outsources to tight standards."
The business plans have been written, IT structures are in place and the resourcing plans for the SIA in the longer term have now been drafted. "We are determined to work in open partnership with the industry," suggested Saunders. "It's our results that must do the talking for us. After all, we're now in the business of solving problems that are deep-seated, not painting by numbers."
The private security industry must fully understand the policing process before it can have any real involvement. It must display the highest standards of integrity, and an appropriate management ethos
As far as Saunders is concerned, the sooner the SIA can replace words with actions the better. This is a refreshing perspective that the industry would do well to take note of – and wholeheartedly embrace.
"At the end of the day," he said, "we need to weed out all those individuals and companies who have no place in this industry by introducing competency-based licensing from Day One. We are touching peoples' lives with this legislation, and it is ultimately to those self-same individuals that we must be accountable."
There can be little doubt that, having been in post for little over three months, Meacher and Saunders really mean business.
Policing A New Century
"I'm in full support of the SIA because, if it's properly run, the 'lot' of security professionals and the public at large will be a better one. That's what the industry has to hang its collective hat on". Never one to sit on the fence, that's how Richard Childs – chief constable of Lincolnshire Police – kicked off the morning's second presentation, looking at the impact of the Home Office White Paper 'Policing A New Century: A Blueprint for Reform'.
Childs is also supportive of police reform, being of the opinion that officers are having to spend far too much time on administration rather than proper policing. "The Home Secretary's proposals for reform are sound, but it's the packaging that's letting him down," said Childs. "The police service needs to get a grip on new technologies, but where's the funding going to come from?".
Childs feels that too great a "national machinery of direction" will undermine the importance of adaptability at a local level. "There's a lack of clarity as to how some of Mr Blunkett's proposals will take hold," added Childs. "That issue that must be addressed."
Ultimately, Childs believes that police reform and licensing of the security industry should go hand-in-hand. "We must all sing from the same hymn sheet," he said. "The police service and the private security industry must begin to develop a truly positive relationship. There will be pain involved in achieving that goal, though, so let's not kid ourselves."
The door is open for the private security industry to play its part in a wider police family, but Childs feels that door will close "pretty damn quickly" if the Act and its licensing strand are not up-and-running as soon as possible. He stressed: "Regulation is not a cheap option for Government. The SIA will need money thrown at it if it's going to succeed."
Childs then put forward the Association of Chief Police Officers' views on industry regulation. As far as ACPO is concerned, there should be no diminution in the powers of a police officer. "The police service must remain the only body with the ultimate power to preserve law and order," stated Childs, who also concedes that there is going to be something of an uphill task for the police service to convince the public that Police Community Support Officers – an idea embraced by the Metropolitan Police (News, SMT, July 2002, p7) – are indeed as effective as 'proper' police officers.
"That isn't the major issue, though," added Childs. "The private security industry must not take on any operational decision-making. That has to remain in the hands of the public sector."
Alarm response, abnormal loads on Britain's highways, monitoring camera images, property retention and statement taking are all areas in which Childs feels the private sector could have an involvement post-regulation. Only time will tell on this particular subject.
IT security: looking to the future
Dr Andrew Rathmell, chief executive officer of the Information Assurance Advisory Council, rounded off the pre-luncheon proceedings with a review of the IT security sector. Rathmell confirmed what many of us already know, in that the issue has risen sharply on the Boardroom agenda. A DTi survey earlier this year showed that 73% of corporate concerns rate IT security issues as a "high priority".
In spite of this, Rathmell was quick to point out that the marketplace remains somewhat immature. Most end users do not purchase systems from a qualified basis. "There is a definite need to educate end users," suggested Rathmell, "as well as a desire to foster the market-led emergence of professional standards. We must remember that IT security is a global issue, so any regulations we develop in the years ahead must take that into account."
Rathmell believes that the industry will have to carry out an in-depth study of the risks that it's seeking to manage, taking into account the scope of the industry and the discipline of information security itself. He suggests there is a grey area in which physical and IT security concerns co-exist.
Source
SMT
Postscript
Next month, Security Management Today looks at the findings of JSIC's afternoon workshops, concentrating on the Private Security Industry Act, police reform and the wide-ranging issue of IT and data security
Full transcripts of the Joint Security Industry Council Security Forum 2002 are now available. SMT readers should telephone JSIC on 01344 873113 or 01344 638625, or send a fax to: 01344 638626 for further information and ordering details
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