The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has unveiled details of the pilot scheme for testing door supervisor licensing. The pilot is expected to start early in 2004, leading to a full roll-out across England and Wales from next summer until early on in 2005.
The SIA is currently in discussion with Hampshire local authorities and the Hampshire Constabulary to work towards piloting the scheme. Hampshire is ideally suited to the task due to its coverage of rural and urban areas, and a rich mixture of licensed premises. Full plans for the scheme are due to be revealed later on this summer.

In essence, the SIA is running the pilot to ensure that the transition from local authority to SIA licenses is seamless, minimise disruption to door supervisors, employers and the industry at large, rigorously test the technology and application process and assess levels of training and competency skills.

Once the roll-out of SIA licenses for door supervisors is underway, the Authority will require that, from a set date in each region, only SIA-issued licenses are held by door staff. Existing local authority registration will cease to be valid on that date.

Andrew Drane, the SIA's director of operations and compliance, said: "In light of legal advice we've taken the decision not to have two licence systems running consecutively in the same area."

The licensing of security officers and key holders begins in 2005 with private investigators and security consultants following on in 2006.

Source

SMT