Vital Security founder, Robert Deards, told the Lakes Mail on Friday that the area's retail and business premises needing security had grown to the point where greater resources than he could provide were needed.

"This area is reasonably low in crime and I believe that it must be at least in part a result of the security service I've built up over the last 10 years, but the area is growing fast and much greater resources than I could offer will be needed to provide good security coverage and that's what this merger means to me," he said.

"I'll still be running my end of the operation but in technology and manpower alone there'll be a quantum leap in the level of service I can give.

"I now even have a specialist electronics manager who designs and implements CCTV, alarm systems and monitoring solutions. That by itself is a huge step forward."

Matt Levin, the manager of Newcastle Security, will retain operational responsibility for the guards and patrols and will be responsible for the combined business which will operate as Newcastle Security.

"We will be offering guarding, patrols, cash-in-transit, monitoring, alarm/CCTV installation and servicing though the name and our control room number (4960 6811) is about the only visible change for Vital Security customers," Mr Levin said.

Details: 4960 6800.