GANGSTERS operating in the security industry face crushing new rules in an attempt to crackdown on corruption after the Scottish elections

Civil servants are already working on proposals to impose deep vetting on an industry after the poll on May 5.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has signalled that he expects to see an approved contractor scheme already in operation become compulsory in the next parliament.

His remarks come after The Herald revealed last Saturday that Police Scotland was backing the measure north of the Border despite reluctance by UK authorities to do so.

Mr Matheson said: "I am sympathetic to the idea of having clear regulation in this area and the potential for that to be put on a statutory basis.

"It is an area that I would like to think progress can be made on in the next parliament."

Law enforcement figures believe they have already made significant inroads in tackling organised crime in the security industry.

The UK-wide watchdog, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) has already signed up most major firms to its approved contractor scheme (ACS).

The SIA and Police Scotland have already taken joint action against criminalised security firms and believe they are having success squeezing them out of the industry.

Senior industry figures are understood to be eager to see compulsory ACS, even if this is only north of the border.

Mr Matheson said: "There was a view we should be looking to look at this matter on a pan-UK basis.

"But there appears to be little appetite south of the border in going down a statutory regulatory process in this area.

"Given there is some evidence of serious and organised crime groups operating in this year that we should be looking to make sure we take the necessary actions to prevent that.

"This is not an new issue it has been debated for a number of years.

"I am increasingly of the view it is an issue we should be looking to take action on.

"From the discussions I have had with some in the industry, there is an appetite to see the regulation being put on a statutory footing.

"We are already looking at some internal work to see what that would look like.

"We can do this on as Scottish basis."

Law enforcement and industry sources agree that measures would have to be put place to help legitimate but small companies raise their standards to those required to obtain ACS.

Some industry insiders fear a crackdown could hurt smaller firms that may not have underworld links.

The proposed move comes as senior law enforcement figures sound out Scotland's business community on a wider voluntary system of "kitemarks" for firms that can show they are not criminal fronts.

Last week the Herald reported that the detective in charge of co-ordinating anti-Mob efforts backs such as a compulsory scheme.

Detective Chief Inspector Garry Mitchell said: "Police Scotland would support the approved contractor scheme in terms of private security being compulsory. That could probably be put in place by the Scottish Government through a directive."

Security firms play a key role in the underworld, providing legitimate "front" employment for gangland enforcers and supporting other work, such as racketeering and drug dealing.

Mr Mitchell, citing Police Scotland's organised crime mapping, said the number of gangland security firms was down by 22 per cent thanks to close work with the SIA.