Criminals can seek security work

Convicted criminals will still be allowed to work in the private security industry despite yesterday's announcement of a range of measures by the Private Security Authority to regulate the sector.

Security companies will be required under law to register with the authority, as will the individuals they employ. All registration applications to the authority from both the companies and the individuals will be vetted by the authority for suitability.

However, similar to the licensing arrangements in place for taxi drivers, having a criminal record will not automatically exclude an individual from being granted a licence to work as an employee or director of a security company.

The authority will deal with an application on its merits and it will be within its remit to grant a licence to a convicted criminal if they feel a person's history does not compromise their ability to lawfully discharge their responsibilities.

The authority will have responsibility for licensing firms and individuals in all sections of the private security industry including doormen, cash-in-transit operators, locksmiths and those installing and providing security equipment such as alarms and safes.

A voluntary code of conduct agreed last month by firms involved in the cash-in-transit industry is to become compulsory and will be enforced by the security authority.

The levels of training in a company, tax compliance by applicants, their record in the industry and their criminal records, if any, will all be taken into account by the authority.

The authority was established last year under the provisions of the Private Security Services Act, 2004. Breaches of this legislation carry penalties of up to €3,000 or terms of imprisonment.

The Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said even those involved in the industry, which employs more than 20,000, believed regulation was needed. Competition was "driving a constant race to the bottom" within the sector.

Geraldine Larkin, chief executive of the authority, said the co-operation of the public and those working in the industry would be needed in order to identify and act against unlicensed operators. Registration fees apply of up to €20,000 for firms with over €10 million turnover.