There is currently no regulation of the industry and cowboys, crooks, conmen and violent criminals are free to operate unchecked

Jack Straw

Those working in the industry would be required to apply for a licence from a newly established Security Industry Authority.

Stiff penalties for anyone working without a licence could include six months in prison or a �5,000 fine.

The purpose of the bill is to wheedle out the less scrupulous elements of the industry.

Criminal record checks

Licences are expected to cost between �35 and �40 and applicants would be subject to a standard criminal record check that would look at both current and spent offences.

Would-be bouncers could face tougher checks covering minor offences and any police intelligence on them.

The bill is a reaction to high levels of public concern about cowboy elements operating within the industry, the Home Office said.

Anyone with a conviction for an offence of drugs or violence would be automatically excluded from working.

The new authority would have some discretion in deciding what other offences could warrant a ban from working in the private security industry.

Evidence of drug-dealing

A Home Office report published two years ago found evidence of doormen dealing in drugs, turning a blind eye to drug-dealing, and receiving cash for letting dealing take place.

Cowboy wheel-clampers were operating in areas which were not properly signed to warn of clamping, and often threatened violence to extract exorbitant fees, officials found.

Home Secretary Jack Straw said: "There is currently no regulation of the industry and cowboys, crooks, conmen and violent criminals are free to operate unchecked."

His department estimates there are around 170,000 door supervisors working in house and under contract, 120,000 security guards working under contract and 2,000 manned guarding firms.

Bill given a welcome

The security industry has general welcomed moves to regulate them more tightly.

Michael Welply, of the Joint Security Industry Council, said: "This will capture the groups and individuals who are working outside associations like ours."

He refused to accept, however, there was a high number of cowboys in the industry.

David Fletcher, of the British Security Industry Authority, expressed concern over what he said were omissions in the bill which would not cover locksmiths or bailiffs.