Former detective sells £2m business

A former West Midlands Police detective who left the force to help run a security firm which is now worth £2 million has sold it to one of the world's biggest companies.

Ex-Walsall detective and now managing director Maurice Jones has sold GRB Security, in Queens Road, Walsall, to Swedish-based Securitas. The actual sale figure has not been disclosed.

Ex-detective constable Mr Jones, a former Chuckery Primary School pupil, was heavily involved in the investigation into the murder of several young girls whose bodies were dumped in Cannock Chase during the 60s.

Raymond Leslie Morris was eventually sentenced for life for the murder of Christine Darby, but denied the murder of two other girls. Mr Jones, married with two children, left the force after 14 years as a detective to buy a third share in GRB.

He joined in 1982, four years after it was set up by two other retired police officers, George Reid and Gordon Boycott.

Mr Jones said: "The money at the time was not good and I wanted to leave and move into the industry. In 1982 I joined as a managing director after buying up a third. It was still quite new and was a bit like the Mexican Army – all generals. I just thought, given what kind of world we were and are living in, you would be a fool if you couldn't make money in security."

Since 1978 the company has grown and grown. GRB has a sales turnover of £4 million per year and now employs 175 staff, working in guarding, mobile patrols and alarm receiving.

"The staff here have been very loyal," said Mr Jones. "A lot of them have been here a long time and if it wasn't for them, this would never have happened. I am very proud of what we have achieved."

Mr Jones, now 66, has stepped down as managing director as a result of the buyout but will remain as a consultant.

The deal was organised by BDO Stoy Hayward, with legal advice from Ansons LLP, who said the company would continue trading under its current name.