Private detectives finger Government for licensing fiasco

Private detectives stepped out of the shadows last night to attack the Government for leaving their industry in disarray. More than 100 private investigators met in Birmingham after news that a proposed licensing scheme, unveiled by the Home Office more than five years ago and due to be completed this autumn, had been indefinitely postponed.

The scheme was meant to ‘clean up’ the profession by introducing a national qualification and a standard training programme.

Yesterday’s meeting at Birmingham City Council offices was organised by the World Association of Private Investigators.

Ian Withers, its chairman, said: “We still don’t have any indication when the regulation will commence. We want them to get on with it.”

The licensing scheme was part of the Private Security Industry Act,
passed in 2001. It has been shelved because the Security Industry Authority, the body set up to implement it, cannot decide what the qualification should entail or exactly who should be covered by it.

Mr Withers added: “Right now, anyone can call themselves a private investigator and start taking money off people.”

Peter Heims, from the Association of British Investigators, which has about 500 members, said that unsuitable people were attracted to the industry because of its portrayal in such television programmes as Vincent. “There are cowboys out there,” he said. “They see it on television and think it’s an easy way to make a few bob. This year, the Yellow Pages has about a third more so-called private investigators than last year. Next year, there will be a third more. It is a mushrooming business.”

Bruce George, the Labour MP for Walsall South, who has campaigned for greater licensing of the trade, said the legislation had been rushed through before the 2001 general election.

There are about 10,000 private investigators in England and Wales, some charging £200 an hour.

By Jasper Copping
(Sunday Telegraph - 15/10/2006)