Brussels, 10/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - On 9 November, the European Commission approved the proposed acquisition of Reliance Security Services Ltd and Reliance Security Services Scotland Ltd (together "RSS" of the UK) by Securitas AB of Sweden. Securitas provides security services, including manned guarding and alarm monitoring and response services, mainly in Europe and North America.
The merged entity, of which the Commission was notified on 1 October, will be the second largest player in the UK market for manned guarding services. However, competition in the UK security services markets will remain fierce, due to the presence of a considerable number of suppliers, both at national and regional level. Moreover, barriers to entry and expansion are relatively low.
The Commission therefore concluded that the proposed transaction would not raise competition concerns. (F.G./transl.rt)