MSPs have been told by Deputy Justice Minister Dr Richard Simpson that unscrupulous operators must be controlled.

The minister said he wanted to introduce a licensing system similar to the one already in operation in England.

Concerns about the activities of some firms were raised by members from across the chamber during a debate brought by Glasgow Pollok MSP Johann Lamont.

The whole business of protection rackets was the business of the likes of Al Capone, his rivals and his successors and must be nipped in the bud here

Donald Gorrie MSP

She introduced the motion following a number of incidents in her constituency, which are still the subject of police inquiries.

Ms Lamont said that following a period of "malicious disruption" residents' distress had been "compounded" when a security firm offered to provide community wardens for �3 a week per household.

The Labour backbencher said this raised questions such as the kind of service to be provided, wardens' training and who would be doing the work.

She suggested the growth in private security was due to a lack of confidence in the police.

'Unscrupulous element'

"Private security firms need to be open and transparent, we need to know how these businesses are run and we must know who runs them," she told the parliament.

"There must be a serious fear that some of these private security firms, unregulated, could be owned and run by people who have criminal convictions themselves and operate it as a sideline to their criminal activities."

The MSP said that regulation would pose no threat to those who operate legitimate firms, and that she expected them to support any move to regulate.

Johann Lamont said her constituents were worried

The Scottish Executive said in September last year they were prepared to act, following a public consultation on proposals.

Dr Simpson said most companies were above board, but he conceded there was "an unscrupulous element using the industry as a cover for extortion or other illegal activities".

But he insisted the executive was committed to regulating the industry, saying: "We want a solution that is effective, consistent, comprehensive and protects the public against those who would seen to benefit from underhand or illegal practices."

During Thursday's debate Liberal Democrat Donald Gorrie drew comparisons between present-day Scotland and Chicago in the 1920s.

He said: "The whole business of protection rackets was the business of the likes of Al Capone, his rivals and his successors and must be nipped in the bud here."