Licence plan targets paramilitaries in NI security

The British government plans to end paramilitary infiltration of the North's private security industry will see regulations widened to include bouncers and even wheel clampers, it emerged today.

Security minister Paul Goggins is proposing a major overhaul that would enforce licensing on all sectors.

With current laws set to be repealed in less than a year as part of the normalisation programme in Northern Ireland, his blueprint also involves national regulatory body the Security Industry Authority (SIA) being extended to cover the province.

Mr Goggins claimed his plans, which will now go out to consultation, would identify any paramilitaries who have muscled in on the industry.

Both the Independent Monitoring Commission, which assesses terrorist organisations’ ceasefires, and the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster have warned of the threat posed by their involvement.

Mr Goggins said: “We have got to stop that. We have a system of regulation at the moment but we need to go further.”

Under the current arrangements private security firms, of which around 110 operate in Northern Ireland, must obtain a licence from the Government.

But with the legislation controlling the industry due to end when the Terrorism Act 2000 is repealed on July 31 next year, a new system is required.

The proposals unveiled today would mean not only the 5,000 security guards working in Northern Ireland all have to be licensed but also extend the requirement to other parts of the industry.

These would include floor supervisors, cash-in-transit operatives, key holders, vehicle immobilisers, close protection personnel and CCTV staff.

With the SIA’s remit due to be extended from England and Wales to cover Scotland too from November 2007 and new legislation governing the Irish Republic, Mr Goggins insisted changes were needed to remain competitive.

He claimed that coming under the wing of the SIA would be the best way of achieving this objective.

The minister said: “This is an ideal opportunity to take a fresh look at how the industry operates in Northern Ireland and the challenges it will face in the future.

“It is our intention to introduce new legislation which will both protect legitimate operators and improve the standards and reputation of the industry and I believe that today’s consultation paper strikes the right balance.”

The plans will go out to be studied for the next eight weeks to all those involved in the security sector, local councils, religious groups, political parties and trade bodies.