Plans to licence private investigators could hamper the use of freelance experts if the rules are not properly drafted, the Association of British Investigators (ABI) told Recruiter.

The Security Industry Authority is planning to introduce licencing for agents. This could take a number of forms, including requiring individuals to submit to a background check, and competancy checks or exams.

The Association is in favour of industry regulation. However, there is a risk licencing will hinder the practice of recruiting freelance experts from overseas, as they may not want to submit to the new regime. This could stop agencies being able to offer checks on overseas individuals or organisations, for example.

There may be room for exemptions. Peter Heims, a spokesman for the ABI, and a private investigator, told Recruiter: "If they are licenced in their own country, for example, they may not need additional licencing, but it's all up in the air at the moment. There are still so many things to be worked out. As it stands there's a chance private investigators may be required to wear name badges while they work, which would be ridiculous."

The SIA refused to comment on the proposals until consultations conclude this