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The way forward for security companies appears to be via gaining Approved Contractor Status (ACS). It is thought that at some point insurance companies will require all companies to only use ACS-approved security companies.

Currently, licensing is only required by contract security companies' management & their employees. The British government is considering whether to extend this to in-house security officers.


TYPES OF LICENCES


Once a 'Main Licence' has been granted, this also entitles the bearer to the privileges of its applicable 'Integrated Licence' the current price of a licence is £245. Some security operatives may need more than one licence; in such cases the second licence will be discounted by 50%


APPROVED CONTRACTOR STATUS


The Private Security Industry Act 2001 requires the SIA to establish a "system of inspection for providers of security services, under which those organisations who satisfactorily meet the agreed standards may be registered as approved, and may advertise themselves as such".

The objective of the SIA's Approved Contractor scheme is to raise performance standards and to assist the private security industry in developing new opportunities. The scheme is voluntary and was developed in consultation with representatives from across the industry; it only covers those parts of the industry that are regulated by the SIA and the Private Security Industry Act.

There is a single scheme, with sector-specific approval based on a relevant set of qualifying criteria. Companies that operate in more than one sector will not be disadvantaged.

More information is available in ' How to Become an SIA Approved Contractor ' brochure.


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