IP surveillance equipment manufacturer, COE Group, acquired by Digital Barriers

Digital Barriers will provide COE with access to a deep heritage in national security

COE Group plc, the advanced video surveillance specialist, has been acquired by Digital Barriers plc. This is the third acquisition for Digital Barriers this year and is the next step in its strategy to build a leading mid-market business in the homeland security and defence sectors. For Digital Barriers, the acquisition of COE will bring world-class expertise and innovative technologies in the transmission and management of video over IP, fibre and hybrid video networks.

Digital Barriers, founded by the leadership team behind Detica Group, will provide COE with access to a deep heritage in national security and the backing of a business with a market capitalisation of approximately £40m and net assets in excess of £20m.

Ian Jefferson, CEO of COE comments: "We bring more than 20 years of heritage in video surveillance, helping to secure high-profile sites around the world. I see great potential to embed our expertise and technologies in an organisation that is able to address the most demanding of security requirements and has ambitions to build both its scale and reach."

COE has successfully delivered its advanced surveillance solutions into over 10,000 sites worldwide, including installations for Seoul's Metropolitan Subway, UK Highways Agency, Port of Singapore, London Heathrow Airport and the BBC. The extensive client base that COE brings aligns closely with the Digital Barriers focus on protecting complex, high-value targets - encompassing government, transport, energy, utilities and other high-profile assets and locations. It also resonates strongly with the Digital Barriers philosophy that technology innovation - combined with a heritage and expertise in countering serious and organised threats - can achieve a more integrated and proactive approach to securing potential targets.

Tom Black, Executive Chairman of Digital Barriers plc comments: "This is an exciting acquisition for Digital Barriers, significantly enhancing our capabilities in complex surveillance and extending our reach into a number of international markets and sectors."

COE will be an important component of Digital Barriers' strategic objective to deploy focused, proportionate and cost-effective security solutions that combine innovative new technology with expert capabilities.