Editing Securicor (section)

==History==
The Company was founded by [[Edward Shortt]], a former [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] Cabinet Minister, in 1935 as ''Nightwatch Services'':<ref name=times>[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</ref> its guards rode bicycles and wore old police uniforms.<ref name=times/> However, in 1939 it was taken over by [[Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon|Lord Willingdon]] and Henry Tiarks who developed it into a leading security business.<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1988/jun/27/neighbourhood-watch-schemes Neighbourhood Watch Schemes] Hansard, 27 June 1988</ref> It changed its name to ''Security Corps'' in 1951<ref>[http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/480134/mt-interview---Nick-Buckles/ The mt interview - Nick Buckles] Management Today, 6 June 2005</ref> and shortened it to ''Securicor'' in 1953.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/securicor-plc-history/ Company history] Funding Universe</ref>

In 1960, it was acquired by ''Associated Hotels'' which itself dated back to 1923.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/the-changing-of-the-guard-1344947.html The changing of the guard] The Independent, 31 March 1996</ref>

In 1984, one of its security guards, John James McWilliams, was murdered while working in London.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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 [[BT Group|British Telecom]] in 1999, resulting in the formation of [[BT Cellnet]], which was later spun off as [[Telefónica Europe|O2]].<ref>[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</ref>

In 2004, Securicor merged with [[Group 4 Falck]] to become [[G4S|Group 4 Securicor]].<ref>[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</ref>