Security guards given police powers – The Independent

“Private security guards are gaining limited policing powers today under a Government scheme to relieve the petty crime burden on forces.”

Full story

The Independent, 21st March 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

City of London security guards told to report ‘suspicious’ photographers – The Guardian

“More than 5,000 security guards in London’s financial district have been instructed by police to report people taking photographs, recording footage or even making sketches near buildings, the Guardian has learned. City of London police’s previously unseen advice singles out people who may appear to be ‘legitimate tourists’ to prevent reconnaissance by al-Qaida. The document, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, helps explain a number of recent cases in which photographers have been stopped and searched by police using section 44 of the Terrorism Act, after first being approached by security guards.”

Full story

The Guardian, 13th May 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New Crime and Security Bill to make our communities safer – Home Office

“A new Crime and Security Bill aims to protect our communities by making our streets safer and giving more help to victims of crime.”

Full press release

Home Office, 20th November 2009

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Foreign Office to propose self-regulation for private military firms – The Guardian

“The fast-expanding industry of private military companies, some of which have been engaged in highly controversial activities, should be self-regulating, the government is to propose.”

Full story

The Guardian, 24th April 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Security firm fined £95,000 after criminals guard shops – The Times

“A security firm was fined £95,000 today after sending out unlicensed guards and staff with criminal convictions to look after a string of high street stores.”

Full story

The Times, 7th November 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Head of Government security quits over criminal record checks – Daily Telegraph

“The head of the body responsible for Government security has been forced to stand down after hiring staff who had not undergone a criminal record check.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 7th November 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Home Office: New powers proposed for security staff – The Guardian

“Powers for council wardens and private security staff to issue fixed-penalty notices and on-the-spot fines for disorderly behaviour are being considered by the police and Home Office ministers. Chief constables are also looking at using security staff to tackle community problems in places where police involvement might be seen as excessive.”

Full story

The Guardian, 27th August 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

R (Securiplan plc) v Security Industry Authority – WLR Daily

R (Securiplan plc) v Security Industry Authority [2008] EWHC 1762 (Admin); [2008] WLR (D) 271

“Despite the absence of any express powers under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, the Security Industry Authority, the body established under the 2001 Act to carry out licensing, monitoring and inspection functions, had power to prosecute alleged offences under that Act.”

WLR Daily, 30th July 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Miliband urged to regulate private military – The Guardian

“David Miliband, the foreign secretary, today faces a legal challenge over the government’s failure to introduce a law to regulate private military and security companies. The move, by lawyers acting for the charity War on Want, follows an increasing number of reports of human rights abuse by employees of foreign companies in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Full story

The Guardian, 18th February 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘Illegals’ free for security work – BBC News

“At least 4,000 illegal workers have yet to be banned from taking security jobs, despite the passing of a deadline set by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.”

Full story

BBC News, 29th January 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

11,000 security staff are working illegally – The Times

“The number of migrants found to be illegally working in the private security industry is more than double the figure given by the Home Office last month.”

Full story

The Times, 14th December 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Mercenary firms seek tighter laws – BBC News

“Private security firms have criticised the UK government for ‘dithering’ over the introduction of tighter rules.”

Full story

BBC News, 4th December 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk