PRESS RELEASE

26 May 2009

Ref: Ad Hoc PSI 01/08/09

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE CONSIDERS REGULATION
OF THE PRIVATE SECURITY INDUSTRY

A Northern Ireland Assembly Committee has been set up to consider new legislation to regulate the private security industry here.

If passed at Westminster, the proposed Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2009 will make a number of amendments to the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and bring the Northern Ireland legislation into line with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Commenting on the Committee’s plans, Chairperson Mr Trevor Clarke, MLA said: “This proposed legislation is designed to ensure that activities like guarding of people, property, premises and wheel clamping are carried out consistently.”

A consultation on the future regulation of the private security industry in Northern Ireland was undertaken by the Northern Ireland Office from 29 August to 24 October 2006.

The Committee wants to hear from anyone with a view on this issue and welcomes written comments by 10 June 2009.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Ad Hoc Committee on the Private Security Industry was established on 18 May 2009 by the Northern Ireland Assembly to consider the new draft legislation on the Private Security Industry published, for consultation, by the Minister for Criminal Justice Paul Goggins MP.

The aim of the proposed legislation is to make a number of minor amendments to the Private Security Industry Act 2001, which sets up a regulatory regime for the private security industry and bring the Northern Ireland legislation into line with the rest of the United Kingdom.

The Members of the Committee are:

Chairperson - Mr Trevor Clarke

Deputy Chairperson - Mr Raymond McCartney

Committee Members

Alliance	Dr Stephen Farry
Democratic Unionist Party	Mr Allan Bresland Mr Adrian McQuillan Mr Stephen Moutray
Sinn Fein	Mr Cathal Boylan Ms Carál Ní Chuilín
Social Democratic and Labour Party	Mr Thomas Burns Mr John Dallat
Ulster Unionist Party	Mr Alan McFarland Mr David McNarry

The Committee is inviting written comments on the proposal by Wednesday 10/06/2009 at 12.00pm

Committee Clerk Denis Arnold
Room 152, Parliament Buildings
Stormont
Belfast BT4 3XX
Tel: 028 90 521280
denis.arnold@niassembly.gov.uk

A copy of the draft legislation and relevant explanatory document are available from the Northern Ireland Office by emailing this address :- gavin.greenlees@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk

Individuals and organisations are invited to submit written comments on the proposal by 12.00 pm on 10 June 2009. Responses should be sent to the Clerk at Room 152 Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3XX or by e-mail to: denis.arnold@niassembly.gov.uk

For further information contact

Ms Stephanie Mallon,
Northern Ireland Assembly,
Press Office, Room B4,
Parliament Buildings,
Belfast,
BT4 3XX
Telephone: 028 90 521953
Mobile : 07925 146794