Yet the changes that have been rung will have far-reaching consequences for all security suppliers and their customers.

Before discussing these, a brief mention about the changes and why they were needed would probably be helpful. From March 20 this year, all contracted private security personnel must have a licence issued by the Security Industry Authority, the government regulator appointed to oversee the changes. To qualify, they must undergo a criminal record check and submit to competency tests and a minimum of four days training - including one day on communication and conflict management. It is now an offence to employ security personnel who are not licensed.

There are many reasons for the changes. Barriers to entry to the security market have traditionally been low, meaning that anyone with the mind to do so has been able to set up a security business. As a result, the private security industry's reputation in some quarters has been tarnished by disreputable operators.

The scale of the problem is revealed in the BSIA's estimate that of the 2,000 or so private security firms operating prior to the March deadline, only some 200 are likely to survive in the post-regulated environment. The industry's reputation has also underpinned a belief among many customers that security provision is a necessary burden and therefore something that should be bought in as cheaply as possible. This persistent downward pressure on prices has led to low security officer wages and contributed to poor morale, under-investment and high staff turnover. Little wonder then that reputable security providers like Reliance have been lobbying the government for changes for years.

So now these changes are here, what do they mean for the security industry - and for the customer?

For security personnel, an SIA licence is a qualification they can take with them throughout the industry. Licensing sends a strong signal that security is a career, with ongoing training and promotion as incentives. Committed security personnel will also make a more meaningful contribution to their customer's business and see themselves as part of a team in making that business a success. A recent survey run by Shopping Centre and Reliance showed that the overwhelming majority - 97 per cent - of centre managers were in favour of regulation, with 92 per cent also believing that the new rules will improve the overall calibre of security officers.

In many shopping centres, a lot of the benefits for both parties already exist due to the requirement for the different agencies at work to pull together to meet the day-to-day challenges of running a centre. Shopping centre security officers need to liaise with security personnel in retail outlets as well as the police and other emergency services. They interface with the public and act as ambassadors for the shopping centre.

CCTV and radio link systems also need to be integrated into the overall security operation. It means all parties working closely together in mutual support and utilising security personnel to their maximum potential.

And this potential means training - in medical emergencies and first aid, in surveillance techniques, in customer care and support and in managing potentially violent situations, among others. It's an investment that companies like Reliance are proud to make because the security industry of the 21st century has an important job to do. With police resources being ever-stretched and the challenges in the retail environment becoming more complex, a highly-trained, motivated and effective security presence is needed now more than ever.

Time to train

The March 20 deadline for security guards to obtain their licence has been and gone but Legion Group is one of the first to achieve SIA Accredited Contractor Scheme status for guarding, public space surveillance (CCTV) and keyholding services.

The company is now offering accredited security guard and CCTV operator training courses to NVQ Level 2, which fulfils the SIA training requirement necessary to obtain a licence.

The Security Guarding course covers basic job training, including an introduction to the security industry, the roles and responsibilities of security officers, the law, health and safety and conflict management.

The courses are run by Legion's training manager Jeremy Frearson, who holds an MA in defence and internal security studies and the City and Guilds Level 3 qualification in Learning Delivery.

Legion's business services director Derek Smith says: "These are excellent courses, particularly for smaller security operators who need to obtain licences for their staff. The proof of the quality of the training lies in the fact that we successfully trained a large percentage of our own guards and obtained licences in time for the March 20 deadline.

"Other companies," Smith adds, "who aren't in a position to train their staff themselves can now benefit from our courses and our expertise as one of the UK's leading security companies.

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