Association of British Investigators (ABI)

The ABI describes itself as the leading professional body working with investigators to promote members and the profession. In a further attempt to influence private investigators the information Commissioner recommended that: ... the Association of British Investigators should:

• Condemn unequivocally any activity which breaches Section 55
• Expel any member cautioned or convicted under Section 55
• Publicise this report to its membership
• Organise training to make sure that its members do no inadvertently break the law
• Extend the National Occupational Standard to include specific reference to Section 55
• Support the proposal outlined above that the SIA should refuse or revoke a private investigators licence for anyone convicted or cautioned for a Section 55 offence

The ABI have responded positively to the Information Commissioner’s recommendations.

The ABI have condemned any activity by their members which breaches Section 55, have disciplinary procures in place to expel members cautioned or convicted under Section 55, have brought the report to the attention of their members using an email circular, organise data protection training for members at branch and national level, feature data protection articles in their magazine and support the proposal that that the SIA should refuse or revoke licences for anyone cautioned or convicted of a Section 55 offence. However the ABI have brought to the Commissioner’s attention the fact that they do not have power to extend the relevant National Occupational Standard as it is the responsibility of the Skills for Security group.

The ABI are have called for the Information Commissioner to produce guidance on when information can legitimately be disclosed to private investigators as they believe that there is currently a lot of misunderstanding in this area with information being withheld where it could legally be disclosed. The Commissioner has previously issued guidance on debt tracing and collection and will update this in due course. He will also consider whether work on further guidance on disclosures to private investigators is warranted.