Becoming a private/professional investigator

[pibby]

I'm doing this under a new username as I want this to be kept 'private' .

For the last couple of weeks i've been looking into various options and something i've thought about was going into investigative work.

I won't bore you with my background as to why this choice but one thing i'm finding hard to get a definitive answer on is which (if any) licence I need in order to do it.
According to the Home Office, they announced in 2014 that they would individuals would be required to obtain a licence from the SIA but there isn't a specific licence for it and the only one that comes close would be the CCTV licence which doesn't seem right.

I appreciate this is a bit of a niche sector but if anyone knows anything that may help, i'd appreciate it.

[LimaDelta]

If you can't find this information by yourself, what makes you think you could be a professional investigator?

[pibby]

Ha. I thought that would be said..

I guess with this is that there is a lot of info about it back from 2014 but nothing updated since and no mention of it coming into force.

The SIA don't seem to want to get back to me and it's not like there's a wealth of knowledge on the web aside from companies trying to sell 'qualifications'.

Actually, i think i've just found my answer. (It's no by the way).

Edited by pibby on Tuesday 8th January 12:30

[anonymous-user]

I'd phone up a few of your 'competitors' posing as a potential client, and ask them what licenses they have, as you want to ensure you are dealing with someone 'legitimate'.

A few phone calls and emails should give you all you need to know.

[russy01]

EddieSteadyGo said:

I'd phone up a few of your 'competitors' posing as a potential client, and ask them what licenses they have, as you want to ensure you are dealing with someone 'legitimate'.

A few phone calls and emails should give you all you need to know.

Or just ask them straight out. Providing you are not on their patch then a nice person will help?

[silobass]

You could check out some of their websites, I'm sure they'd mention if they were a part of a governing body of some sort.

[Rascal_71]

https://www.theabi.org.uk/

This is something I was looking into myself. Have a look at this site. It might contain some info you find useful.