G4S's secure performance

SECURITY services group G4S said it has performed "robustly" in a challenging market, with its broad international spread helping growth, writes John Collingridge.

The group, which says it is the biggest employer on the London Stock Exchange, operates security services ranging from transporting cash to running prisons.

G4S said total sales were up four per cent in its first quarter between January and March. At actual exchange rates the group saw growth of 2.1 per cent, while its operating margin was unchanged. In Yorkshire its operations include running HMP Wolds in East Yorkshire, providing security services for the Humber ports, pictured, as well as all of the region's Crown and Magistrates' courts.

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The company, formerly known as Group 4 Securicor, operates in more than 110 countries. It saw organic growth of two per cent during the period. Of this, developed markets were flat but new markets grew more than seven per cent.

"The group has performed robustly in the first quarter, in a market which continues to be challenging," it said.

The group added there have been "no material changes" in its trading performance of markets since the end of 2009.

Chief executive Nick Buckles said the company made a good start to the year and expected organic growth this year to be broadly in line with last year.

He said G4S is seeing very strong growth in the Middle East and Latin America, while business in western Europe and the United States is picking up.

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