Bluemoon Investigations

No two days the same

Running a successful detective agency is very different from the average job. Take a look at our Services page and you will get an idea of the very wide range of enquiries you could be doing. Enquiries not just for solicitors, but across the whole spectrum of commerce, industry and the general public.

A successful private investigator is not just someone who is technically proficient, but must also be a people-person, able to adapt to dealing with a wide range of people.

Running a business

As a small business you must also manage and do the myriad of jobs that make your business run. From ordering the office stationary to paying the bills. From sending the invoices to chasing the payments. From deciding on advertising to writing an article for a local web site. From estimating the cash flow to paying the VAT. And the list goes on.

About the company

Background of Bluemoon Investigations

Formed in 1980, Bluemoon Investigations is a long established private investigation business. With headquarters in Bristol, the company operated in the south west of England.

Recognising the business opportunities arising from the Private Security Industry Act, the company launched an aggresive expansion plan through franchising in July 2006.

Franchisee support

The franchise company is part of a larger grouping of companies able to provide the support services to franchisees. Bluemoon College for training, Securing Data Simply and ResultsCount for IT support, and FindaDetective for on-line advertising.

Support on operating the franchise is from our head office, which moved to Peterborough in 2007.

The Franchise package

The basics

The franchise package includes:

• Use of Bluemoon Investigations name and processes
• Initial one week in-house training and on-going training
• External one week surveillance training
• Franchisee guide
• Process Servers Guide
• Best Practice Guide
• Operations manual
  
• PC and office software
  (yours to keep, included in the initial fee)
• Complete e-stationery and templates setup
  
• All in one colour scanner, printer, copier, fax
  (yours to keep, included in the initial fee)
• IT set-up and support
• Off-site secure data backup for one year
• Limited company set-up for you
  (it is your company, we do not retain shares)
• Use of the Bluemoon Investigations logo
• Organise your advertised telephone number
• Provide initial marketing material
• Yellow Pages advert for one year
  
• Yell.com entry for one year
  
• FindaDetective private investigator directory entry for one year
  
• Inclusion on company web site
  Bluemoon Investigations corporate site
• Your own web site for your territory. For example
  Bluemoon Investigations West London Office site
• 3 email addresses
• At the end of the initial 5 years 3 months agreement, franchisees may renew for a further 5 years, subject to satisfactory performance.

Value-added

When you buy a Bluemoon Investigations franchise you are buying on-going benefits for the franchise term, including:

• On-going investigation training, help and advice
• On-going IT support
• On-going marketing advice

Franchise cost

Other costs

Getting started

To ensure a smooth start for your new business we provide training, help and assistance to get you established.

• We establish a limited company for you.
• We organise your advertised telephone line, e-stationery and the use of our name and logo.
• We arrange and establish your website and email.
• We advertise your business in Yellow Pages, Yell.com and FindaDetective.
• We organise leaflets to send to local businesses.
• We advise you how to market your detective agency office.
• We provide you with advice and help on establishing your franchise
• We provide you with advice and help on the office computer and software.
• We support your application for membership of a Professional Investigation Association.

We provide you with telephone and email support every step of the way. We want you to succeed.

Private Investigation Licensing

There is currently no direct regulation of private investigation under law. It is possible for any person to set up as a private investigator.

Currently some of the activities undertaken by private investigators may be indirectly regulated through other means. For example, depending on the activities undertaken, investigators may require to be registered under the Data Protection Act, and may require a Consumer Credit Licence.

The position so far

Thw Security Industry Authority (SIA) are developing the approach to the licensing of private investigation activities. The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry.

During 2005 and 2006 they consulted extensively with individuals and representatives working within private investigation on the possible approaches for licensing.

The options for licensing were presented by the Home Office in a partial Regulatory Impact Assessment in August 2007. Individuals and organisations with an interest in this sector had an opportunity to respond with their comments. The responses to the consultation were published by the Home Office in May 2008.

Following the Home Office's recommendation to introduce competency-based licensing, an interim version of the Impact Assessment confirming the intention to develop the regulation was published in September 2008.

An announcement is expected by April 2009 on the licensing criteria and licensing timetable.

Regulation will be a good thing in the long term. It will eventually put the Sector on the road to become a profession and capture all Operatives undertaking licensable activities, regardless of job title.

Be part of the family

Is this for you ?

Being a Bluemoon Investigations franchisee is somewhat different to other careers. It is varied, interesting and rewarding being your own boss in a detective agency.

You will need committment, dedication, desire and to be hardworking. The opportunity is to develop a profitable and rewarding business.

I want to apply

To become part of the Bluemoon family, complete and return the application form. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss the opportunities.