NCJ Number
53756
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 3-8
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IN GREAT BRITAIN IS PRESENTED BY AN INDEPENDENT SECURITY CONSULTANT.
Abstract
IT IS SUGGESTED THAT, CONTRARY TO STATEMENTS MADE BY CRITICS OF THE INDUSTRY, PRIVATE SECURITY IS NOT A VERY BIG BUSINESS AND CERTAINLY DOES NOT COMPARE WITH BRITAIN'S REGULAR POLICE FORCES IN TERMS OF MANPOWER STRENGTH. THE CRITICISM THAT THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY IS MORE CONCERNED WITH PROFIT THAN WITH CRIME PREVENTION IS COUNTERED WITH THE OBSERVATION THAT THE INDUSTRY'S PROFITS ARE NOT LARGE. IT IS NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT THE SECURITY INDUSTRY'S HIGH DEGREE OF COMPETITIVENESS HAS BEEN BASED ON PRICE NOT QUALITY, OF SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT. REASONS BEHIND THE INDUSTRY'S INABILITY TO IMPRESS UPON ITS CUSTOMERS THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY ARE EXPLORED, AND ATTEMPTS TO INTRODUCE QUALITY CONTROL INTO THE INDUSTRY ARE NOTED. THE BRITISH SECURITY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION'S MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS AND ACTIVITIES ARE DISCUSSED, AND THE CLARITY AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THE ASSOCIATION'S STANDARDS OF PRACTICE ARE QUESTIONED. PROPOSALS TO SET UP A LICENSING MECHANISM FOR SECURITY BUSINESSES IN BRITIAN ARE ASSESSED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE REAL ANSWER TO THE INDUSTRY'S PROBLEMS LIES IN IMPROVING THE WAGES, WORKING CONDITIONS, AND TRAINING OF SECURITY PERSONNEL. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL SUPERVISORY COUNCIL FOR THE INTRUDER ALARMS INDUSTRY, AN AGENCY ESTABLISHED IN 1972 BY THE ASSOCIATION TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH A STANDARD PUBLISHED BY THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, ARE REVIEWED. THE COUNCIL IS SAID TO REPRESENT A GOOD EXAMPLE WHICH HAS YET TO BE REPEATED IN THE SECURITY INDUSTRY. THE BRITISH SECURITY INDUSTRY IS URGED TO ORGANIZE ITSELF, OR TO LET ITSELF BE ORGANIZED, SO THAT IT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND PROVIDE SERVICES OF A RELIABLE QUALITY. (LKM)