Proposed new law examines security guard powers

February 14, 2012

MPs on the Commons justice committee have been told that private security guards outnumber police at least two-to-one in this country and the ratio is only going to increase.

The president of the Association of Professional Security Agencies says a proposed new law to clarify citizen's arrests and defence of property is very timely in light of the booming, private security business.

The Conservative legislation expands and simplifies the concept of reasonable force, and gives private citizens — including their paid security guards — more time to grab a suspect after witnessing a crime. Read more