The private security industry has moved a long way since the days of night watchmen warming their hands at a brazier and simple alarm systems that rang a bell mounted on a factory wall.
Today approximately half a million people are employed in security roles in the private sector, and the industry contributes approximately £6 billion to the economy of the UK. It works closely with the police service and provides many of the non-core functions that were previously undertaken by police officers but for which police powers are unnecessary.
A large proportion, though not all, of the workforce is regulated by the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which draws its powers from the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA is responsible for licensing individuals working in specified roles, and requires those people to prove their identity and address, obtain formal qualifications and submit to a criminal records check before being considered for a licence to work.
The industry encompasses a wide variety of occupations, ranging from the traditional uniformed security officer (though today trained and vetted) to highly skilled technicians:-
- Biometrics technicians
- Cash & Valuables in Transit Cash Processors
- CCTV Operators
- Close Protection Officers
- Community Wardens
- Contract Bailiffs
- Door Supervisors
- Event Security Staff
- Locksmiths
- Private Investigators
- Security Consultants
- Security Dog Handlers
- Security Officers/Security Managers
- Security and Fire Systems Installers
- Technical Security Countermeasures operatives.
While most security staff are supplied under contract from specialist suppliers, there are also a considerable number who are directly employed and a smaller number who are self employed. Companies range in size from multi-national corporations operating across the world to small local service providers.
National Occupational Standards are in place for all security roles, and all security personnel receive training, some of which is linked to formal qualifications. Further information will be found in the "Training and Qualifications" pages of this website.
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