Govt publishes new regulations to beef security in residential buildings

In the new directives published by the ministry of interior in response to the growing cases of crime, all private security companies guarding residential apartments, lodgings and hospitality platforms will now be required to register all visitors visiting the said property or face hefty penalties.

In the regulations issued by the Private Security Regulatory Authority chief executive officer Fazul Mahamed, visitors seeking access to private properties will henceforth be required to provide identification documents as conditions to be granted entry.

A failure by any security personnel to adhere to the directives may lead to jail term or the cancellation of licenses belonging to the said company.

Residential properties including lodgings will also be required to install and maintain security cameras, including CCTVs to beef up security within the properties.

“In response to the alarming increase in reported criminal activity within residential apartments, the Authority hereby issues directives aimed at addressing the emerging trends of insecurity with a view of deterring criminal activities within these premises,” Mahamed said in the regulations issued on Monday January 15, 2024.

As such, Mahamed says, all security personnel guarding such properties will be required to among other things, ask all visitors to identify themselves, register the time of entrance and exit of the person and retain temporarily the identification document of such person.

The identification documents will be surrendered at the entry of any premises or property within the jurisdiction and care of a private security provider.

Further, all security personnel manning the said properties, will also ensure that the identification details of all individuals accessing such premises are recorded in a register in an accurate and timely manner, documenting the time of entry and exit for each person.

The new directives are in line with Section 48 of the Private Security Regulations Act which empowers a private security officer stationed at the entry of any premises or property to require all persons accessing the said property to register themselves.

The new directives will now require private security personnel to maintain a current and accurate log of all vehicles, rickshaws and motorcycles entering and or departing from the facilities within the jurisdiction of a private security provider.

Private security companies will also be required to maintain a register of all private security officers providing private security services in residential apartments, lodging and hospitality premises for both day and night shifts.

And to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors, private security companies together with the property owners will also be required to ensure that the CCTV and security cameras are in proper working condition and recording of footage is up-to-date.

They will also be needed to maintain an updated access control policy, a copy of which should be strategically displayed at the point of entry and exit at the guarded premises.

“For clarity and the avoidance of doubt, the identification documents surrendered at the point of entry shall be returned back to the person at the point of exit, not be used for any other purpose save for identification and be kept in a safe custody until surrendered back to the owner,” Mahamed said.

“Take notice that a private security provider who violates Section 48 of the Act, uses the identification documents surrendered by individuals at the entry of any premises or property for any other purpose save for identification or willfully fails to comply with this directive, commits an offence and shall in addition to cancellation of license, be liable on conviction to the penalty prescribed under the aforementioned Act or any other written law whichever is higher,” he added.