The UK Private Investigation Law Regulations For Private Investigators Wandsworth in Greater London
2013 saw a declaration of intent by the Home Secretary of the government’s plans to have regulatory measures for private investigations (this includes Private Investigators Wandsworth of Greater London) through the SIA or Security Industry Authority. The plan of the government to see to the implementation of the statutory licensing of private Investigation activities by the next Parliament that commenced on May 2015 was announced by the Home office in December 2014. Even so, private investigations licenses have still not been introduced in the UK.
The SIA and the Home Office continue to work together since the latter is responsible for regulating private investigations. Continuously the SIA educate the public on the future regulation of private investigation services law and to work with the security industry revising the ‘Get Licensed’ standard to remain relevant. When the Home Office agrees with the SIA on the date of launch, the SIA will give us the update.
Who are those who will need a licence? (https://privateinvestigators-wandsworth.co.uk)
Are private investigators licensed? The services offered by private investigators needing a licence are described by the Private Security Industry Act 2001 details of which are available from Private Investigators Wandsworth (https://privateinvestigators-wandsworth.co.uk). There are plans to review the defined activities by the Home Office so that they remain in line with the intended purpose. Therefore, it is recommended to consult Home Office to get the answer for questions relating to whether particular activities will be licensable in future.
The provisions of the ACT is that a SIA license will be necessary for private investigators involved in investigations, surveillance and inquiries that are meant to.
- gather details concerning an individual or concerning services or regarding the location of an individual
- gathering details on the manner or how possessions went missing or destroyed, investigators who offer private investigation services will need a license
- These persons will include staff, supervisors, managers, owners, partners and directors of companies involved in private investigations
Whether the Home Office will also want us to regulate ‘in-house’ private investigations is still unknown.
As used in the Private Security Industry Act, “director” is anyone who is an executive or non executive director in a company, a shadow director, parent company director or corporate entity holding a director’s position.
According to the Act, a license will not be required for the following activities.
- activities that are meant for market research alone
- activities that have the sole intention to provide a credit check
- professional activities of practicing barristers and solicitors
- expert activities of practising accountants
- professional activities of reporters and broadcasters, and activities that have a sole intention to provide information to broadcasters and reporters
- activities that are only related to credit the public record registers; published works; and records or registers which somebody can rightfully access
- activities carried out with the knowledge or assent of the subject of the inspection
Penalties
Sanctions that will be issued for those that operate as an unlicensed private detective will be.
- upon the instant judgment at a Magistrate’s Court, District Court or Sheriff Court, a maximum punishment of six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000
Having unlicensed staff will bring a penalty of.
- The biggest punishment of six months imprisonment and / or a fine of up to £5,000, after summary conviction at a Magistrate’s Court, Sheriff Court or District Court
- having been convicted after prosecution at a Higher Court, Crown Court, Sheriff or a Justiciary and any trial involving a jury, the maximum penalty will be imprisonment for 5 months and / or fine that is unlimited ( at the discretion of the court)
Certified Private Investigators Wandsworth is glad to declare that we have fulfilled all the criteria and tests and that we have done the required training and we are now license ready. This is not only a great news for all our existing customers but for the prospective ones too, as the transformation will be with business operations carried out as usual.
If you are looking for more information on Wandsworth’s Private Investigators Wandsworth, who offer services in the locality covering areas such as Putney, Earlsfield, Balham and all other areas within Greater London, can contact us today on 020 3292 0343. You can also view our services and get more information and reviews from our current customers by visiting https://privateinvestigators-wandsworth.co.uk.
