The Security Industry Authority: Britain Commercial Surveillance - Essay Example

Is Commercial Surveillance in UK Effectively Monitored and Regulated by the Security Industry ity? Course Date Total Number of Words: 3,092 Table of Contents I. Introduction ......................................................................................... 3 II. Research Proposal .............................................................................. 4 II. The Research Problem(s) / Problem Statement ................................. 5 III. Theoretical Perspectives ..................................................................... 7 IV. Research Methodology ....................................................................... 10 V. Anticipated Problem(s) ........................................................................ 13 References ...................................................................................................15 - 16 Introduction For many years, the levels of threat all over UK and London still remain unsolved. Aiming to improve the security in UK; the ‘Home Office’ set up the Security Industry Authority (SIA) under the 2001 Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) for the purpose of regulating the private security industry throughout England, Wales, and Scotland. (Security Industry Authority, 2007; SIA and CBI, 2005: 3) In the process improving the level of security in UK, the Security Industry Authority has been appointed to handle the responsibility over the licensing of the local private security industry including a long list of approving licences to companies such as security guards, vehicle immobilisers, the key holders, private investigators and the security consultants including the licensing of manned guarding which includes cash and valuables in transit, close protection, door supervision, public space Close Circuit Television (CCTV) systems, and security guard. (Security Industry Authority, 2007) According to Sir Digby Jones, the Director-General of the CBI, the “Security Industry Authority will bring us a better regulated and professional private security services throughout the country as it welcomes the introduction of a new standards in the security industry”. (SIA and CBI, 2005: 2) Based on a recent survey on 500 British companies in 2005, almost 25% never spend money on security devices and 49% did not bother to come up with a contingency plan in case of serious crimes or other related activities that may harm the normal functioning of the business. (Culver, 2005) Since March 20, 2006, the implementation of the licensing for Public Space Surveillance CCTV Operators came into effect all over England and Wales. (SIA, 2007b) With the new Security Industry Authority vision1, it is possible to reduce the incidence of crime, promote peace and disorder, as well as eliminate the fear caused by criminal acts throughout the United Kingdom. Research Proposal For the purpose of the study, the researcher has stated the research proposal as “to determine whether the commercial surveillance in UK, particularly the licensing of the heavily promoted of CCTV installations, is really effectively being monitored and strictly regulated by the Security Industry Authority or not” by conducting an intensive up-to-date literature review. Based on the research proposal, the researcher will define a list of specific research questions that are directly or indirectly related to the research proposal. Aside from the literature review, the researcher aims to conduct a separate research proposal by using related survey questionnaires. These survey questionnaires aims to test and determine the personal views and opinions of the local businesses and other private groups who had installed CCTV as part of their personal or business security approach with regards to the recently established Security Industry Authority (SIA). As part of the main purpose of the research proposal, the researcher will thoroughly discuss the related theoretical framework which will be used to enable the readers to fully understand the identified research problems. Eventually, the researcher will highlight the plan in which the research methodology is planned to be conducted. Lastly, a list of some anticipated problems or scenario that may arise while conducting the research study will be noted down. The Research Problem(s) / Problem Statement As part of exploring the efforts of the Security Industry Authority in monitoring and regulating the UK commercial surveillance particularly with the licensing and the promotional activities related to CCTV installation, the researcher aims to conduct an intensive literature review with regards to the following questions: What are the important steps and procedures to consider when applying for Security Industry Authority licensing on CCTVs? In what ways could the Security Industry Authority take advantage of using CCTV technology in solving and minimizing the incidence of crimes and disorders? What benefits could the installation of CCTV bring to the general public? Are there any concrete statistical evidences to prove the benefits of using CCTV technology? How could CCTV installation help the UK security forces in fighting the high incidence of crimes and disorders throughout the United Kingdom? What is the overall impact of CCTV installation on increasing security level in local businesses, at home, and on the national intelligence group? What are the types of crimes that can be prevented with the use of CCTV technology and other related gadgets? What are the limitations of relying CCTV in terms of preventing and solving a crime scenario at home, within the work area, or in a public place? Are there a minimum number of CCTV cameras required to be installed in a specific area or a building? What are the important considerations that a person should take note in order to maximize the benefit of such security equipment? Are there any evidence-based research studies conducted in the past with regards to the use of CCTV and its impact on reducing crime related incidence? Identify, analyze, and make a critical judgement on each gathered evidence-based research reports. What are some of insights, recommendations, and/or future considerations that the researcher would wish to contribute in the study in order to provide the readers a better understanding of the subject matter? As part of the research questions that will be applied in the survey questionnaires includes the following: Are you aware that the Security Industry Authority has been established under the 2001 Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) for the purpose of regulating the private security industry throughout England and Wales? _____ Yes _____ No Is your CCTV device(s) licence with the Security Industry Authority? _____ Yes _____ No Are you aware that it is illegal to work as a public space CCTV surveillance operator without getting Security Industry Authority licence? _____ Yes _____ No Do you believe that the Security Industry Authority legislation could help reduce the amount of rogue security companies as it aims to improve the professionalism among the personnel and staff of these companies? _____ Yes _____ No What is your personal experience with the use of CCTV in reducing the possibility of criminal acts such as burglary, homicides, etc.? ________________ Has anyone of you in-charge of the CCTV device you have installed in your place ever encountered any personnel from the Security Industry Authority to discuss about the proper procedures and benefits of licensing your CCTV device(s)? _____ Yes _____ No Do you feel safer and more confident now that the Security Industry Authority has been introduced to monitor the licensing of security devices and personnel throughout the United Kingdom? _____ Yes _____ No; Why? _______________ Do you think that introducing the Security Industry Authority to monitor and regulate the licensing of specific sectors in the private security industry could improve the overall security system throughout England, Wales, and Scotland? _____ Yes _____ No; Why? ________________________________________ As a CCTV user, what are your suggestions in which the Security Industry Authority could improve the security level with the use of this device? ______________________________________________________________ Theoretical Perspectives There seems to be a pattern in every local crime scenes such as burglary and thefts. The ‘Routine Activity Theory’ (RAT) is the most suitable theory to describe the problem scenario related to such criminal acts and the use of CCTV surveillance devices. According to Marcus Felson, a well-known criminologist, the routine activity theory clearly describes the internal and external factors that may contribute to properly explain the reasons behind a possible crime act. (Home Office Crime Reduction, 2003) As a researcher, I have personally chosen this theory since it provides a simple and straight forward explanation on the factors that triggers criminal acts and how CCTV installation could prevent and minimize the incidence of these acts. The routine activity approach assumes that three basic elements namely: (a) a potential offender who has a strong need due to poverty, greed, or to purchase illegal drugs; (b) a capable guardian referring to anyone or anything that could prevent or discourage a criminal acts such as the police patrols, security guards, neighbourhood watch schemes, doorstaff, fences, locks, lighting, alarm systems, friends, or a co-worker; and (c) a suitable target which could be a victim or a thing. (Felson & Clarke, 1998: 4; Felson, 1998) In the case of this study, the CCTV device acts as a capable guardian that could avoid the possibility of having a crime scene to happen especially in ‘hot spots’ (Sherman, Gartin and Buerger, 1989) where a repeat victimization in more likely to occur (Farrell & Pease, 1993). Basically, ‘hot products’ (Felson & Clarke, 1998) such as cash highly encourage and motivate a potential offender to get involved with criminal acts such as commercial robberis, burglaries, car thefts, or any small items like watches, mobile phones, etc. Understanding the impact of ‘hot products’ to a potential criminal act could enable the local governments to find ways in which they could encourage and persuade the local businesses and industry to protect their property from the potential criminal suspects. (Pease, 1997) As part of the Routine Activity Theory, the four elements known as VIVA (Value, Inertia, Visibility, and Access) (Home Office Crime Reduction, 2003; Clarke, 1999: 22; Felson & Clarke, 1998: 5) is equally useful in understanding a criminal situation wherein value is simply referring to the monetary cost of a thing; inertia means that the target object is compact enough to enable the potential snatcher or offender to easily gain access to it; visibility is referring to the act of enabling to let potential offenders see the ‘hot thing’ under the victims’ possession; and access is simply referring to the act of forcefully acquiring the target object from the victim. In line with VIVA, particularly the use of CCTV prevents the offenders’ from gaining an access to his / her suitable target which is usually a potential object that is characterized by having a high monetary value, compact in size, and is easy to dispose of as well as the degree in which the item is too difficult to identify (Kock, 1997: 11). According to Felson & Clarke (1998: 7), the ‘Routine Activity Theory’ is considered to be one of the best theoretical perspectives when it comes to criminology since the theory focuses more on analyzing the offenders’ decision making for committing a criminal act. It is pretty normal for each potential offender to have a goal in each crime they commit. Knowing the way of thinking of these offenders enables the local government with the assistance of the national security units to track down on these people and eventually give justice to the offended victims. The authors added that offenders usually strike their potential victims when opportunity arises. (Felson & Clarke, 1998: 30) Considering that security devices could limit the opportunity of potential offenders 24 / 7, there is a higher potential for people to be able to effectively guard their personal belongings and eventually reduce the incidence of criminal acts. For example, when the CCTV was installed inside the car park of the University of Surrey, the number of crime incidence such as theft and vandalism reduces to half (from 138 to 65 after a year). (Barry, 1997) In line with the issue on increasing the competency of security nationwide with the intervention of the Security Industry Authority, it is possible for us to effectively lessen the crime opportunity for potential offenders. Research Methodology The researcher has developed a set of research questions based on the proposed research topic for the study. Aiming to address the research questions that has been derived from the research proposal which is “to determine whether the commercial surveillance in UK, particularly the licensing of the heavily promoted of CCTV installations, is really effectively being monitored and strictly regulated by the Security Industry Authority or not”, the researcher will conduct an intensive up-to-date literature review and eventually conduct a survey questionnaires in order to determine the personal views of the local citizens with regards to the purpose of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) in relation to the use and licensing of the CCTV devices. In relation to the literature search, the Internet will also be used in locating some related criminology journals. In the process, the researcher will utilize search engines such as Google and Yahoo using the following key words and phrases: ‘CCTV Security Industry Authority’, ‘theoretical perspectives criminology’, ‘CCTV surveillance benefits’, ‘news CCTV SIA’, ‘repeat victimization journal’, ‘hotspots criminology journal’, ‘British crime surveys’, ‘burglary CCTV benefits’, ‘routine activity theory’, ‘SIA report’, and ‘CCTV licensing policy UK’. For most of related issues, the researcher will focus on the reports published by the Home Office. An ‘up-to-date’ statistical information related to criminal acts in the United Kingdom will be gathered and obtained from the British Crime Survey (Budd, 1999). These data will include the total incidence of residential burglaries (Budd, 1999), car thefts (Mirrlees-Black, 1996), as well as shoplifting (Hayes, 1997) in household and commercial areas including the public places like the parking lot. Particularly the trend of the statistical report either in England, Wales, and Scotland will be used to determine whether the introduction of the Security Industry Authority since its establishment back in the year 2003 (Security Industry Authority, 2007c) has enabled the crime rate related to burglary and theft to decline. Chances are; these data would include crime-related information that has not been reported directly to the UK police. The researcher will also gather some evidence-based research studies that have been conducted in the past. Eventually, the researcher will compare and contrast each of the gathered evidenced-based research. Through a critical thinking and a responsible judgement on the gathered literature as well as the result of the survey research, the (Johnson)research will eventually make a recommendation and conclusion. The research design that will be used in the survey analysis will be ‘explanatory non-experimental research.’ This type of quantitative questions uses a typical ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions followed by questions like ‘how’ and ‘why’ in order to obtain some explanatory information from the participants. (Johnson, 2000) In the absence of the follow-up questions; it would be too difficult on the part of the researcher to determine whether the participants’ answer to the questions is logical or not. Basically, the researcher will make use of the explanation provided in each questions as a way to double-check the accuracy of the participants’ answer. The researcher has designed the research questions in relation to the Security Industry Authority licensing intervention and the use of the CCTV devices. The first question in the survey questionnaire “Are you aware that the Security Industry Authority has been established under the 2001 Private Security Industry Act (PSIA) for the purpose of regulating the private security industry throughout England and Wales?” will enable the researcher to determine whether or not the CCTV user is aware of the Security Industry Authority. In the process, the researcher aims to determine whether they have secured a CCTV licensing especially to those who operates the device in public places. The succeeding questions aim to determine the personal point of view of the participants with regards to the role of the Security Industry Authority in strengthening the local security throughout England, Wales, and Scotland. It also seeks to determine whether the respondents or any of the CCTV operator(s) had personally received a message or has been in contact with the personnel coming from the Security Industry Authority to discuss the proper procedures and benefits of licensing their CCTV devices. (See ‘The Survey Questionnaires’ on page 6 - 7) A total of 100 respondents CCTV owners will be gathered to participate in the survey question portion of the study. In order to avoid a bias result, the researcher will select and distribute the survey questionnaires only to the local individuals and businesses that had acquired, are using, or had tried using a CCTV either at the comfort of their own home or inside their business establishments. For the purpose of the survey research, no gender, ethnicity, or age groupings will be applied in the process of conducting a survey. The collected data used in the study will be exclusively derived from the survey questionnaires as shown in on page 6 - 7. In order to measure the significance of the data gathered, the researcher will be using a simple statistical measurement method such as the basic computation of frequency and percentage using the Microsoft Office Excel software. As part the survey result analysis, the researcher will perform a critical thinking based on the figure result and the personal explanation of the selected participants in order to avoid being misguided by the result of the statistical figures. Anticipated Problems Upon conducting the research proposal, the researcher is being apprehensiveness or having a little qualm with the possible result of the survey research due to the fact that the Security Industry Authority has only been established for close to four years only. In case the Security Industry Authority has not been extending extra effort to let all the CCTV users know about the recent rules regarding the licensing procedures and other related guidelines with the use of the CCTV devices, there is a big probability that the researcher may encounter some CCTV users who has not been informed of the new Security Industry Authority legislation. Perhaps such CCTV users could be using the security gadget only inside the comfort of their own residence place. Personally, as a researcher, I still find it a little confused on how the licensing of the CCTV could help minimize the risk of criminal acts such as thefts in a car park or burglary in a store since the technical testing and maintenance of the security gadget can be managed by the CCTV owners themselves. In line with this matter, the researcher is very much looking forward to combine the literature that will be gathered for the purpose of this study as well as the result of the survey questionnaires. Combining the two sources of information will enable the researcher to develop and come up with a more solid conclusion rather than just relying either on the personal views of the Security Industry Authority or the result of the question survey alone. For this reason, critical thinking on the part of the researcher is essential part of the completion of this study. In the absence of a critical thinking, the researcher may end up with a biased or irrational conclusion which could make the purpose of the main study ‘void’. *** End *** References: Barry, P. (1997). Situational Prevention in Two Parking Facilities. in Ronald V Clarke (Eds) Situational Crime Prevention: Successful Case Study. 2nd Ed. Albany, NY: Harrow and Heston. Budd, T. (1999). Burglary of Domestic Dwellings: Findings from the British Crime Survey. Statistical Bulletin, London: Home Office. Clarke, R. (1999). Hot Products: Understanding, Anticipating and Reducing Demand for Stolen Goods. Police Research Series. Paper 112. Research Development Statistics. Retrieved September 16, 2007, from Home Office: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/prgpdfs/fprs112.pdf Culver, R. (2005, May). Security Management Today. in SIA Update Corporate. Retrieved September 15, 2007, from http://www.the-sia.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/55170C30-CA18-4FB7-98F2-30CC3E6CF08C/0/sia_update_corp_0508.pdf Farrell, G., & Pease, K. (1993). Once Bitten, Twice Bitten: Repeat Victimization and its Implications for Crime Prevention Crime Prevention Unit Series, Paper 46. Police Research Group, London: Home Office. Felson, M. (1998). Crime and Everyday Life. . Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press. Felson, M., & Clarke, R. (1998). Opportunity Makes the Thief: Practical Theory for Crime Prevention. Police Research Series, Paper 98. Research Development Statistics. Retrieved September 15, 2007, from Home Office: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/prgpdfs/fprs98.pdf Hayes, R. (1997). Retail Theft: An Analysis of Apprehended Shoplifters. Security Journal , Vol. 8, pp. 233 - 246. Home Office Crime Reduction. (2003, August 27). Retrieved September 15, 2007, from Practical Skills: Routine Activity Theory: http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/skills/skills08.htm#intro Johnson, B. (n.d.). ITFORUM Paper #43 - Its (Beyond) Time to Drop the Terms Casual-Comparative and Correlational Reserach in Education. Retrieved September 16, 2007, from http://itech1.coe.uga.edu/itforum/paper43/paper43.html Kock, E., Kemp, T., & Rix, B. (1997). Disrupting the Distribution of Stolen Electrical Goods. Crime Detection and Prevention Series, Paper 69. Police Research Group. London: Home Office. Mirrless-Black, C., Mayhew, P., & Percy, A. (1996). The 1996 British Crime Survey. Home Statistical Bulletin, Issue 19/1996. London: Home Office. Pease, K. (1997). Predicting the Future: The Roles of Routine Activity and Rational Choice Theory. in Newman G.R., Clarke V., and Shoham S.G. (Eds) Rational Choice and Situational Crime Prevention: Theoretical Foundations. Dartmouth UK: Ashgate. Security Industry Authority. (2007). Retrieved September 14, 2007, from Licensing: http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home/licensing/ Security Industry Authority. (2007b). Retrieved September 15, 2007, from Public Space Surveillance (CCTV): http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home/licensing/cctv/ Security Industry Authority. (2007c). Retrieved September 16, 2007, from About the SIA: http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home/about_sia/ Sherman, L., Gartin, P., & Buerger, M. (1989). Hot Spots of Predatory Crime. Routine Activities and the Criminology of Place Criminology , Vol. 27, pp. 27 - 55. SIA and CBI. (2005, November). Retrieved September 15, 2007, from Spotlight on Security: Why Business Must Make the Difference: http://www.the-sia.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/90C366C5-2627-49A3-B0C6-6EBF565DAC2B/0/sia_cbi_spotlight.pdf Read More