It’s never easy to gauge public opinion on issues that are in any way contentious. Now and again, the outcry of angst is almost unanimous – the introduction of the Community Charge springs to mind – but at times peoples’ views will be divided. The Labour Government’s decision to support US premier George W Bush’s ‘war on terror’ has certainly split this nation’s media and citizens asunder.

In the security sector, British Standard BS 7858 is having a similar effect. If this month’s Letters to the Editor are anything to go by, Security Watchdog md Terry O’Neil’s Opinion article (‘Raising the bar beyond BS 7858’, SMT, December 2004, p11) has put the cat among the pigeons.

The Watchdog has since drafted an alternative to BS 7858 – dubbed Securi-Check – that’s fully endorsed by Top Ten contractor Securiplan.

What everyone really wants to know is whether or not BS 7858 will remain useful and relevant post-regulation.

Not surprisingly, the guiding principle behind the recent five-yearly review of BS 7858:2004 was – in the words of GW/3 chairman Patrick Dealtry – “to update a standard designed to meet the needs of those who wanted to be as sure as possible of the background of staff operating in a position of trust on their premises”.

In line with client requirements, the review team designed the standard to be demanding and practical, and it was revised by experienced industry practitioners – including voices from the guarding sector, the BSIA, IPSA and the NSI.

A joint statement issued by Dealtry and GW3/4 chairman Derek Smith exclusively to SMT reads: “It is the job of GW/3 to produce the standard and not dictate who uses it. In the case of the guarding industry, this decision rests with the BSIA and the Security Industry Authority (SIA). BS 7858 compliance is currently a condition of BSIA membership. The SIA’s decision to include BS 7858 within the Approved Contractor Scheme, or not, will become clear in due course.” Indeed it shall.

And that’s the crux of the matter. The SIA’s viewpoint will be the crucial factor in determining the fate of BS 7858.

For its part, GW/3 has agreed to revisit the benchmark in light of regulation. Could multiple levels of screening based on a standard framework be on the cards? The industry holds the casting vote... Either way, the problem of identity theft – which ran into 300,000 cases in 2004 – must be addressed.

Source

SMT