Securicor
{{Short description|British security consulting company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Securicor
| logo = Securicor.png
| type = Public
| caption =
| fate = Merged with Group 4 Falck
| successor = G4S
| foundation = 1935
| defunct = 2004
| location = London, England, UK
| industry = Security
| key_people = Lord Sharman (chairman)
| products =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| subsid =
}}
Securicor plc was one of the United Kingdom's largest security businesses. It was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but merged with Group 4 Falck in 2004.
History
The Company was founded by Edward Shortt, a former Liberal Cabinet Minister, in 1935 as Nightwatch Services:[https://archive.today/20110611164039/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/support_services/article1009403.ece Group 4's Danes to swoop on Securicor] The Times, 1 February 2004 its guards rode bicycles and wore old police uniforms. However, in 1939 it was taken over by Lord Willingdon and Henry Tiarks who developed it into a leading security business.[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1988/jun/27/neighbourhood-watch-schemes Neighbourhood Watch Schemes] Hansard, 27 June 1988 It changed its name to Security Corps in 1951[http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/480134/mt-interview---Nick-Buckles/ The mt interview - Nick Buckles] Management Today, 6 June 2005 and shortened it to Securicor in 1953.[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/securicor-plc-history/ Company history] Funding Universe
In 1960, it was acquired by Associated Hotels which itself dated back to 1923.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/the-changing-of-the-guard-1344947.html The changing of the guard] The Independent, 31 March 1996
In 1984, one of its security guards, John James McWilliams, was murdered while working in London.{{cite web|url=http://bufvc.ac.uk/tvandradio/lbc/index.php/segment/0007000114006|title=Armed robbers jailed for murder|publisher=British Universities Film and Video Council|accessdate=20 April 2020}}
Securicor, along with co-founder British Telecom, was involved with the creation of mobile phone operator Cellnet in 1985. Securicor sold its share in the company to British Telecom in 1999, resulting in the formation of BT Cellnet, which was later spun off as O2.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/bt-to-get-the-goahead-to-take-full-control-of-cellnet-1287789.html BT to get the go-ahead to take full control of Cellnet] The Independent, 9 December 1997
In 2004, Securicor merged with Group 4 Falck to become Group 4 Securicor.[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HXI/is_2004_Feb_24/ai_n25083750 Group 4 Falck and Securicor plc announce terms of merger] Nordic Business Report, 24 February 2004
References
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Category:Security companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Defunct companies based in London
Category:British companies established in 1935
Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange
Category:1935 establishments in England
Category:Companies disestablished in 2004
Category:2004 disestablishments in England
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