Security Industry Authority seeks gumshoes' views

21 Jan 10

By Anthony Hildebrand

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has set up an online questionnaire for those working in the private investigations industry to share their views on regulation.

By Brian Sims

The SIA plans to license private investigation activities, and wishes to gather information about the sector.

For example, the Regulator is keen to determine the type of activities engaged in by both individuals and companies, their awareness of the SIA and their thoughts on regulation in general.

The SIA will use any feedback from this exercise as a starting point to obtain information about the sector before licensing is introduced in order to identify changes to the industry as a result of regulation.

The deadline for submissions is 19 March 2010.

Reply to the survey online here.

Private eye business "booming in the downturn"

According to UK Private Investigators, a Kent-based company with a private eye network throughout the UK and worldwide, business is booming and new customers have a clear motive that wouldn't flummox Philip Marlowe or Sam Spade.

Debtor tracing, matrimonial surveillance and background reports on people are all in high demand, mainly thanks to companies and individuals feeling the pinch during the downturn and hiring proactive private detectives to ensure they're not being cheated or ripped off.

Timothy Burchell, the owner of UK Private Investigators, told SMT Online: "We've recently received a large increase in enquiries for debtor tracing, matrimonial surveillance and background reports. The services are for solicitors, commercial clients and private clients. Difficult economic times can lead to a rise in 'middle class' crimes such as fraud and theft from employers, while financial strain can often trigger relationship problems, including infidelity."

Huge losses due to theft by employees

From its office in Tunbridge Wells, UK Private Investigators can find fraudulent insurance claimants, discover dishonest employees and catch cheating partners.

A report by Price Waterhouse Coopers in 2007 revealed that 70% of large UK companies have been hit by fraud, with firms losing an average of £4 million each year to embezzlement and theft by employees.

Burchell concluded: "Picking up business through his website, toting his Blackberry and digital camera, working out in the gym and fending off the odd request to track down Manchester United players' home phone numbers, the owner of this private detective agency is a very modern gumshoe. It's a far cry from the traditional old raincoat and trilby detective of the past and, fortunately, we don't go for the bungling antics of Columbo or the strange eccentricities of Poirot."