New laws are being introduced to protect the public from rogue wheel clampers, it emerged today.

Clampers, along with door supervisors, will be the first sections of the private security industry to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority.

The Government hopes this will lead to higher standards in recruiting and training private security employees and managers.

Under the new programme wheel clampers and bouncers will need to pass a criminal background check, show they have good communication skills in English and reach set levels in training and professional standards.

It will also be a criminal offence to work in any of these professions without an SIA licence.

Although clampers and bouncers are to be the first employees to have to have a licence, the scheme will be extended to cover security guards, private investigators, key holders and security consultants as well.

Home Office minister Charles Falconer said: "We are committed to reducing crime and the fear of crime.

"That is why we set up the SIA which, for the first time, will provide a professional standard for workers and will weed out the rogue minority which is giving the industry a bad name."

Published Wednesday, April 9, 2003

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