The two major players in Bermuda's security market have joined forces to create a new company called Security Associates Ltd.

The amalgamation involves the security officers division of the Bermuda Security Group (BSG) and Safeguard International Security.

The new company, which started life on April 1, will have a staff of 220 security officers, 140 of them from Safeguard and the other 80 from BSG.

"We operate in a highly competitive market," Safeguard International Security president Paul Field said yesterday. "This amalgamation was born out of the synergies shared by our respective organisations, two of the leading security firms in Bermuda."

Herman Tucker, president of BSG, added: "It's a business decision, and the creation of Security Associates Ltd. enables us to pool our considerable resources, capitalise on economies of scale and ultimately focus on providing the highest level of professional guard services in Bermuda."

Carlton Crockwell, a 27-year veteran of the industry, is chief operating officer of Security Associates and one of the owners. He said the new company would provide a broad scope of security services, including static and patrolling security officers, property checks, seaport, retail, corporate, special events security and vehicle clamping.

Mr. Crockwell said that no-one was being made redundant as a result of the merger.

"What we want to do is to be the leading company in Bermuda when it comes to providing trained security officers in different areas," he said.

The recent rise in gun crime had "brought security to the forefront more than ever before", Mr. Crockwell added, keeping demand high.

Training requirements in the security business have risen drastically in recent years, particularly since the 2001 terrorist attacks in the US and Mr. Crockwell said Security Associates would have a full-time training officer.

He added that he wanted security to be seen as offering a career opportunity, with the chance for officers to move up into management. "We've had several staff who have gone on to be managers in the corporate security — one is now supervising 40 staff," Mr. Crockwell said.

Increasing numbers of job applications are being received in the security business, as with many other organisations in Bermuda during the economic downturn.

Mr. Crockwell said he had seen a noticeable increase in job applications. "Every day someone comes in to fill a form," he said. "People with professional backgrounds are coming in. That's a good thing for our market. And people would be surprised how far you can go in this business."

Security Associates will operate out of the Gorham's Building at 62 St. John's Road.

The leadership team comprises executives from both companies. Alongside Mr. Crockwell will be field operations manager Ernest Paynter, scheduling manager Freedom Burrows and human resource manager Judith Bussell.

For more information, call Security Associates Ltd. on 292-2626.