With the industry's leading trade bodies and inspectorates looking at differentiation, the prospect of a change of Government and the pressure of a difficult economic climate, it seems that the private security sector is once more on the cusp of change, writes British Security Industry Association (BSIA) Chairman, Stuart Lowden, exclusively for Infologue.com.
This week the
BSIA announced its development of a high-level operational standard for the
security guarding sector, working with Skills for Security and the National
Security Inspectorate to develop what is hoped will be a valuable differentiator
for our industry. The initiative is intended to complement the NSI's Contract
Quality Marque (which focuses on individual contracts) and will offer an
overarching standard with recognised benchmarks such as British Standards at its
very heart.
This need for differentiation has developed as a
result of our membership's increasing frustration with the number of companies
achieving Approved Contractor Status. The BSIA has long argued for British
Standards to be embraced at the heart of ACS, but this has never been adopted.
Consequently, we see ACS as very much the entry point for companies wanting to
improve quality and customer service. The new standard is intended to challenge
companies to aim higher and will, unequivocally, require compliance with, and
inspection to, all relevant British Standards. This will then become a
benchmark of difference and will give real advantage to those that meet it and
for those who purchase from them.
Our work on this matter will
certainly be inclusive. We wish the entire industry to get involved in order to
create a standard developed by the industry, for the industry. Only through
active and widespread consultation will we achieve a standard that meets the
needs of the industry and its customers alike.
In addition to our work on
developing an industry differentiator, the BSIA has not lost sight of the need
to continue to raise the industry's profile to key audiences within Government,
the Police and other agencies. The prospect of a potential change of Government
means the Association is working to ensure that the Conservative Shadow Home
Affairs Team is aware of the key role that the industry plays in protecting UK
plc and the broader capabilities of the private security sector.
There are a number of areas
where these strategic relationships are important. Regulation is of course one
of them and will be a continued focus of BSIA. However, it is also vital that
cash-in-transit crime remains a priority of the next Government – whatever form
they make take. Only through the continued support of the Home Office and its
role in overseeing a strategic approach to combating the crime will the number
of attacks reduce.
As we move
forward into 2010, I see a strong BSIA playing a
vital role with its partners in helping to form future policy. With the
industry on the cusp of change, the Association will remain at its heart,
striving to raise standards, promote best practice and educate the end-user on
the benefits of quality and professional security. Through consultation and
partnership work, I hope this vision will be achieved.
BSIA Website
