Questions regarding SIA regulation of private investigators
Published 10 March 2022
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1. Request
I understand that in 2013 the Government announced intentions for new regulation of private investigators intended to protect the public.
I am interested to hear:
- Whether any such regulation has been proposed or implemented or if there are any general updates on this?
- Whether the SIA considers the existing legal and regulatory framework governing private intelligence activities to be sufficient, and if not, why not?
- Whether the SIA has an opinion on what legal and regulatory reforms could be enacted to better govern private intelligence activities?
- Whether the SIA has any forthcoming plans to do anything related to ensuring that private investigative companies are better governed?
2. Response
2.1 Whether any such regulation has been proposed or implemented or if there are any general updates on this?
No regulation has been proposed or implemented and there are no updates in this regard.
2.2 Whether the SIA considers the existing legal and regulatory framework governing private intelligence activities to be sufficient, and if not, why not?
Please be advised that the Act gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. We are not required to create new information to respond to a request, or give a judgement or opinion that is not already recorded. As your request is asking for an opinion it falls outside the scope of the Act.
2.3 Whether the SIA has an opinion on what legal and regulatory reforms could be enacted to better govern private intelligence activities?
Please be advised that the Act gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities. We are not required to create new information to respond to a request, or give a judgement or opinion that is not already recorded. As your request is asking for an opinion it falls outside the scope of the Act.
2.4 Whether the SIA has any forthcoming plans to do anything related to ensuring that private investigative companies are better governed?
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has no plans at this time relating to the regulation of private investigations. Any decision on whether to enact the private investigations provisions in the Private Security Industry Act 2001 is a matter for HM Government.
[Reference: FOI 0326]