Crime and Fire Defence Systems

What Crime and Fire Defence Systems does

Crime and Fire Defence Systems Limited (CFDS) is a UK-based turnkey security systems integrator specialising in the protection of critical national infrastructure (CNI), utilities, and defence estates. Founded in 1999 by Chris Laughton in West Yorkshire, the company designs, installs, and commissions integrated security solutions — perimeter fencing, CCTV with thermal imaging, access control, laser intruder detection, and integrated command centre platforms — engineered to NPSA and British Standards. Its flagship proprietary offering is Campost™, a space-saving perimeter system that mounts CCTV, detection, lighting, and audio directly into the fence line and allows single-operator ground-level maintenance, targeting space-constrained utility compounds and data centres.

CFDS generates revenue through three streams: one-time turnkey design-installation-commissioning projects, recurring multi-year maintenance and 24/7 service contracts delivered by a nationwide engineering team, and ongoing professional services covering consultancy and civil works. Pricing is bespoke and project-based, with customers reached via direct enterprise sales and framework agreements. Named customers include SGN (gas distribution), a major UK utility, Bassetlaw District Council, and First Bus UK (a three-year £10 million framework award). For the 12 months ended April 2025, CFDS reported audited revenue of £17.33 million and profit before tax of £1.36 million. In September 2025, CFDS was acquired by AIM-listed Journeo plc for £13.7 million, becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary within a larger technology group targeting £100 million in revenue over three years.

Name

Crime and Fire Defence Systems

Legal name

Crime & Fire Defence Systems Limited

Website

https://crimeandfire.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Crime and Fire Defence Systems is a UK turnkey security integrator delivering government-compliant perimeter protection, CCTV, access control, and command centre solutions for critical national infrastructure, utilities, defence estates, and transport clients. Now a subsidiary of Journeo plc following its September 2025 acquisition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Integrated Physical Security Systems

NAICS

Security Systems Services (56162), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)

SIC

Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire Alarm & Life Safety Systems Integration (BPAKAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial & Construction Site Security (IMAIAEAH)

Keywords

• Perimeter security systems
• Critical infrastructure protection
• Integrated security solutions
• CCTV surveillance installation
• Access control systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Crigglestone

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Turnkey Security Solutions - Design, Installation & Commissioning: Design, install, and commission integrated security systems including perimeter protection, CCTV, access control, and fire defence. Government-compliant solutions delivered as end-to-end projects for critical infrastructure sites.
2. Maintenance & Long-Term Service Contracts: 24/7 support and scheduled service contracts delivered by multi-disciplined engineers covering the entire UK. Tailored maintenance programmes ensuring systems remain operational, compliant, and performing at optimal levels.
3. Integrated Security & Long-Term Support: Consultancy, civil works, and ongoing support services ensuring seamless protection, full traceability, and long-term reliability across every project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Crime & Fire Defence Systems designs, installs, commissions, and maintains integrated turnkey security systems for critical national infrastructure, utilities, defence estates, and high-security environments. Its offering combines perimeter protection, CCTV, access control, intruder detection, fire defence, and command centre integration, anchored by the proprietary Campost™ space-saving perimeter system. Solutions are engineered to NPSA and British Standards and delivered with long-term 24/7 maintenance contracts across the UK and Europe.

Product overview

Crime and Fire Defence Systems is a turnkey provider of integrated security solutions for critical national infrastructure, utilities, and high-security environments, offering both proprietary products and professional services. The core product portfolio centres on the proprietary Campost™ System — a space-saving perimeter solution combining CCTV, detection, lighting, and audio directly into fence lines — alongside High-Security Defence services covering government-grade perimeter protection, CCTV with thermal imaging, access control, intruder detection, and integrated command centre capabilities. These are complemented by Integrated Security & Long-Term Support services encompassing consultancy, design, civil works, installation, and ongoing maintenance. The company operates as part of Journeo Group, with over 25 years of experience delivering NPSA and British Standards-compliant security systems across the UK and Europe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Campost™: A cutting-edge, space-saving perimeter security solution that combines CCTV, detection, lighting, and audio directly into the fence line. Designed for utilities, data centres, and space-constrained environments where traditional camera towers cannot be installed.

Products and services

• Campost™ System Proprietary space-saving perimeter protection system that combines CCTV, detection, lighting, and audio directly into the fence line. Features a winchable design allowing single-operator ground-level maintenance without lifts or platforms, and integrates with CPNI/LPCB 1175-approved fencing systems. Sold to utility operators, data centres, and other space-constrained critical infrastructure sites.
• High-Security Defence Solutions Design, supply, installation, and commissioning of government-compliant integrated security systems covering electric perimeter fencing, CCTV with thermal imaging, access control with audio, laser intruder detection sensors, and lighting systems. Engineered to NPSA and British Standards for CNI, defence estates, and utility clients.
• Integrated Security & Long-Term Support Turnkey security service delivering design, consultancy, civil works, installation, and long-term 24/7 maintenance for high-security and critical infrastructure sites nationwide. Includes scheduled service contracts by multi-disciplined engineers ensuring compliance, operational continuity, and future readiness.
• Perimeter Intruder Detection (PID) Rapid deployment perimeter intruder detection systems for temporary or high-risk sites requiring fast, flexible security coverage. Designed to meet critical infrastructure protection requirements.
• Integrated Command Centre Centralised monitoring and command platform integrating CCTV, alarms, and identity events for real-time situational awareness and coordinated response. Combines laser intruder detection, access control, and CCTV monitoring into unified command infrastructure for 24-hour operations.
• Public Space CCTV Surveillance Complete public space CCTV surveillance systems for local councils and public entities using the latest IP camera and wireless technologies. Designed to be cost-effective, compliant with British Standards, and tailored to client requirements for town-centre and public-area surveillance.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SynecticscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing integrated security management solutions for critical infrastructure environments. Synectics specializes in command and control systems integration.
• BoschcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing advanced CCTV systems featuring preset views, analytics, and thermal imaging solutions for high-security environments.
• Motorola SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing mission-critical communications and security solutions for enterprise and government clients.
• Milestone SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing video management software (VMS) for integrated surveillance and security monitoring solutions.
• Axis CommunicationscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing network cameras and video surveillance equipment for security installations.
• HirschcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing security access control solutions and integrated security management systems.
• GallaghercoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing security management solutions including access control and perimeter protection systems.
• AdvanciscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing building management and security integration software for unified security operations.
• Lochrin BaincoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing hostile vehicle mitigation, architectural fencing, and perimeter security solutions.
• Barkers FencingcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing specialist fencing systems for security and perimeter protection applications.
• Hanwha VisioncoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing video surveillance solutions including cameras and analytics for security applications.
• RayteccoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing LED lighting solutions for surveillance, perimeter protection, and security applications.
• Zenitel (Stentofon)coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing intercom, mass notification, and critical communication solutions for security applications.
• CommendcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing intercom and communication systems for integrated security solutions.
• Association of Fencing IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership supporting industry standards development and best practices in fencing and perimeter security.
• Journeo PLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company: AIM-listed technology group delivering integrated, mission-critical systems across the UK and mainland Europe. Acquisition completed September 2025 for £13.7 million.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Synectics: Synectics is a UK-based specialist in integrated security management software and command-and-control platforms for critical infrastructure, transport and high-security environments — directly overlapping CFDS's CNI command-centre integration work. Managing Director Pete Rushforth previously held senior roles at Synectics.
• Genetec: Genetec provides unified security, VMS, access control and intrusion detection platforms deployed globally across critical infrastructure — a directly competing PSIM/VMS stack that CFDS designs and integrates alongside, and whose software frequently appears on the same UK CNI tenders.
• Advancis: Advancis is a European vendor of PSIM/security management software (Winguard) used in command centres for high-security and CNI sites — a direct PSIM technology alternative whose solutions CFDS designs in alongside other platforms.
• Barkers Fencing: Barkers Fencing is a UK manufacturer and supplier of LPCB-certified high-security perimeter fencing (including 358 weldmesh and LPS 1175-rated systems), overlapping CFDS's perimeter and Campost™ integration projects where fencing and detection systems are co-specified.
• Lochrin Bain: Lochrin Bain is a UK specialist in hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) and high-security architectural fencing for CNI, defence and transport estates — a directly comparable perimeter security supplier frequently co-specified on CFDS integrated projects.

Broad incumbents

• Honeywell Building Technologies: Honeywell is a global broad-line industrial security and access control provider (Pro-Watch, MaxPro) competing for the same enterprise and CNI integrated security tenders as CFDS, with a much larger installed base and global support footprint.
• Thales UK: Thales is a global defence and security systems integrator with deep UK critical infrastructure and defence programmes — competing for the largest UK CNI, MoD estate and nuclear perimeter security contracts where CFDS also bids, but at substantially greater scale.
• Securitas Technology (formerly STANLEY Security): Securitas Technology is the global electronic security systems integration arm of Securitas, deploying CCTV, access control and intrusion systems across commercial and industrial customers — a broad-incumbent competitor with UK scale greater than CFDS.

Others

• Axis Communications: Axis is a global network camera and video surveillance manufacturer that supplies CFDS as a Core technology partner; it also sells direct through distribution channels to end customers, making it an adjacent technology supplier rather than a like-for-like integrator.
• Motorola Solutions: Motorola Solutions supplies mission-critical communications, video security and command-centre software (Avigilon, Pelco, Vigilance) for enterprise and government customers — a Core technology partner to CFDS that also sells end-to-end security solutions directly into the same UK CNI market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@crimeandfiredefencesystems8927
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crime-and-fire-defence-systems-ltd

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Crime and Fire Defence Systems