The inspectorate of the security industry...

[David Biggins]

Ben Clifford wrote:

> Reading the business section of The Independent On Sunday, 25th =
March,
on
> page 6 is an article about "The Keyholding Co.", a company which runs
a
> home delivery service and which keeps a copy of your house keys so
they
> can let themselves in and put the icecream in the freezer if you are
out
> when they deliver.
>=20
> "The company is registered with the Inspectorate of the Security
> Industry."
>=20
> Anyone know what this does? A quick websearch suggests that it is
> something to do with the manned security industry.
>=20
> Will it be subsumed into the new authority?
>

Like you I've never heard of them. =20

But like you I did a quick websearch and found (probably the same as
you) www.isi.org.uk :

> "In any service industry where quality and service are paramount,=20
> the existence of an independent body to inspect companies against=20
> nationally recognised standards of competence assumes real =
importance.

> This is particularly true of the =A31.5 billion contract guarding=20
> industry, where customers must differentiate between the quality of=20
> operation and the company unwilling, or unable, to make the progress=20
> essential to the improvement of standards and professionalism.
>=20
> ISI represents a significant development in the manned security=20
> industry. Created in 1992 with industry and Home Office backing,=20
> it is the first independent Inspectorate to specialise in inspecting=20
> manned security companies to nationally recognised British =
Standards."
>

I agree, it seems mostly to be about managing manned guard stations - =
in
other words, yes, it overlaps strongly with the new stuff.  And =
although
they claim government backing, they are NOT listed (or found in a wide
range of searches) at www.open.gov.uk.  Indeed, no search there =
contains
both "inspectorate" and "security industry"...

If I were just a LITTLE more paranoid, I'd wonder just why the
Government is touting new legislation and a new body, with this already
existing as a basis for the current stated targets, UNLESS its =
objective
is to roll us all in over time.   Unless the ISI has failed to meet
whatever objectives Government hoped for of course...


## dave ##