The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has had its fair share of challenges and successes in 2008. Of course, we’ve witnessed much media coverage of our challenges and successes. Some of that coverage was good, some not so good. At times, the coverage we’ve received has been totally inaccurate.
Affording an overview of what has been a very busy year for the Regulator in anything other than a lengthy discourse isn’t too easy a task, but there are one or two events that stand out in my mind and which I’d like to highlight.
When the year began, we were still handling the challenges we faced by transferring to a new licence processing system. Last November, the plan had been to introduce a faster, more robust and user-friendly licensing system and Contact Centre. As is now well documented, the new system didn’t work as well as it should and the new processes and facilities were not ready or tested fully enough to go live.
More than anyone, I’m only too well aware of the delay, confusion and inconvenience the problems with the new system caused the industry at large. I apologised then, and I can only apologise again now to those affected.
Performance targets being met
However, I’m pleased to say that we now have a new system in place that’s performing way beyond the limitations of the previous one. New online facilities are up-and-running for individual applicants as well as companies. The system is more robust, faster and the levels of performance and service are meeting our targets. The average processing time for valid licence applications received from both UK and EEA applicants is 25 working days.
The Contact Centre has also witnessed huge leaps forward in the service we provide. The overwhelming majority of calls are answered in under a minute, and e-mails within a day or two. It has taken us a long time to reach this point, but now we’re here I’m determined that you will benefit from improved systems and more online facilities – particularly as we approach the peak of licensing renewals for security officers.
In October, the National Audit Office published its report entitled ‘Regulating the Security Industry’. Reading some of the news articles published at the time, you’d have thought the report was all bad news, but I believe it was a balanced and positive piece or work. It clearly highlighted that when we were set up, licensing could have been implemented more efficiently, and that we need to improve our strategic and operational planning to deal successfully and swiftly with future challenges.
However, the report also recognised that we’d introduced regulation effectively to a previously unregulated sector, had achieved high levels of compliance with the law, delivered benefits of reducing the numbers of criminals engaging in security activities and, importantly, that the Approved Contractor Scheme is a success.
The result at Southwark Crown Court
November saw the successful conclusion of an investigation that started back in 2006 – the year in which SIA licensing for security officers became compulsory in England and Wales. On 7 November at Southward Crown Court, Securiplan plc pleaded guilty to 19 offences of deploying unlicensed security operatives. The company was fined GB pound 95,000 and paid us GB pound 550,000 to meet the costs of the investigation and prosecution.
I was particularly pleased that the Judge in this case acknowledged our approach to enforcement as correct and he outlined it most clearly – His Honour Judge Rivlin QC stating: “The SIA has, in my judgement, quite rightly not prosecuted individuals who were sent out unlicensed – they have prosecuted the real offenders. Those individuals should never have been placed in such an invidious position by their employer, who was in a position of trust with its employees. Certain employees were treated in a disrespectful manner.”
That day in the Crown Court brought to an end a long process of investigation and proceedings in which the SIA had been subject to relentless legal challenges. The Court found that we had acted with complete propriety throughout, and that we were “living” by each of the Government’s five principles of good regulation. I know that. as a result of those findings – and other successful prosecutions – our position and regulatory regime were strengthened and the protection of the public enhanced.
Hard work and much dedication
Media coverage isn’t always balanced, accurate or, indeed, fair, and last month there was much coverage of the departure of our chief executive, Mike Wilson. Mike, the SIA Board and I came to a mutual agreement that he would step down. The Board and I remain grateful to him for all his hard work and dedication to the development of the SIA, and we wish him well for the future.
Work continues at the SIA, and we have much to do to build on our successes and achievements tp date. I was pleased to welcome Bernard Herdan as our new interim chief executive. Bernard has a wealth of experience in implementing change management and improving customer service, recently serving as chief executive of the UK Passport Agency. His appointment will be a great asset to us all as we approach and start a new and challenging year.
Where are we now?
Last month, I was asked to give an analogy to describe where the SIA thought it was. I can think of no better way to finish off my short round-up of the year’s events at the Regulator for SMT Online than by repeating the analogy… We have given the SIA motor a good overhaul. We’ve checked our tyres and engine. We’re now leaving the pit lane, and we’ll shortly be racing back down the track with renewed vigour and purpose.
The Regulator is very much looking forward to even more collaborative working with its various industry partners and Stakeholders during the New Year.
