| Until now, private investigators in England and | | | | Barristers; |
| Wales have not required any special licence. That | | | | - professional activities of practising accountants; |
| situation is about to change, however. | | | | - professional activities of journalists and |
| In May 2001 the Private Security Industry Act | | | | broadcasters; |
| was passed by the British Parliament. This paved | | | | - activities exclusively relating to reference to |
| the way for a system of licensing for the private | | | | registers which are open to the public; registers or |
| security industry. The Act separated the industry | | | | records to which a person has a right of access; |
| into four key segments: door minders/bouncers, | | | | and published works; and |
| wheel-clampers, manned security and private | | | | - activities carried out with the knowledge or |
| investigators. | | | | consent of the subject of the investigation. |
| The licensing system is being implemented by the | | | | Once licensing is introduced, anyone involved in |
| Security Industry Authority (SIA). Everything so | | | | providing contracted private investigation services |
| far is running fairly smoothly, with the entire | | | | will need a licence. This includes employees, |
| security industry in England and Wales being | | | | employers, managers, supervisors and directors |
| regulated as from 2005 on a sector by sector | | | | or partners of private investigation companies. |
| basis. The PI sector is last on the list, and at the | | | | According to the SIA website (see below), a |
| time of writing (July 2008) there is still no definite | | | | partial Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) has |
| date for the introduction of licensing for PIs. | | | | been carried out on the licensing of private |
| At present it is too early to say exactly how the | | | | investigators. This was a wide-ranging review, |
| new licensing system for private investigators will | | | | which looked at a range of options, and all |
| operate. However, the SIA say that operators will | | | | interested parties were invited to submit their |
| need an SIA licence "if they are engaged in | | | | comments. The next stage is that the Home |
| surveillance, inquiries or investigations for the | | | | Office will publish a full Implementation Impact |
| purpose of obtaining information about a person | | | | Assessment (IIA) that will give details of the |
| or person(s) activities or whereabouts, or the | | | | approach to be taken. As yet there is no |
| circumstances by which property has been lost or | | | | indication on when the IIA will be published. |
| damaged." | | | | The above sums up the information available |
| The SIA say that the following activities will NOT | | | | about the proposed licensing of private |
| require a licence: | | | | investigators in England and Wales at the present |
| - activities exclusively for the purposes of market | | | | time. For the very latest information, you may |
| research; | | | | wish to check the SIA website at the-sia.org.uk. |
| - activities exclusively concerned with a credit | | | | You can also phone the SIA on 08702 430 100, |
| check; | | | | or write to them at Security Industry Authority, |
| - professional activities of practising solicitors and | | | | PO Box 9, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE82 6YX, UK. |