A KIDDERMINSTER father and son business is in the front line of the huge changes taking place in the security industry.

Cyril and Scott Kirby set up Apollo Security eight years ago and the business has gone from strength to strength with the company leading the way in helping to give the industry a new image.

It is an industry that for many years had a slightly clouded reputation, which was often unfair and created by a few bad apples.

Government legislation now means that all security staff have to be licensed.

There are many companies and individuals that need some kind of security support.

This may range from door security to a range of other services such as site and property protection as well as discreet personal security.

Based at Gemini House in Stourport Road, Apollo Security has a headquarters that includes all the latest training facilities.

Cyril and Scott Kirby were determined from the start that they were going to do things differently and their enlightened approach has resulted in a business that now has more than 65 people working for it and an impressive list of clients.

Apollo provides security for all of the major shopping centres in Kidderminster; it works for British Sugar and British Waterways as well as the NHS where the company provides security for doctors' surgeries, hospitals, dentists and drug centres.

All of this has been achieved thanks to a commitment to high quality and professional services where reliability and discretion are top priorities.

It is a matter of pride that all of the Apollo services are police registered.

Commitment to gaining Investors in People Status, achieved last June, is another tangible example of how Cyril and Scott are determined to be the best.

Services include providing people and the latest equipment often working in combination.

These include offering remote site closed circuit television monitoring, alarm call answering and key holding.

Apollo is expanding its services and has added aviation security, film location security, and fraud investigation to its portfolio. It has also refurbished its 24 hours a day control room.

All services will be catered to the clients' needs with both short and long term contracts available.

Key to the success of the business is a high level of personal service and commitment to really understanding customer needs.

This is important in all aspects of security work but especially in the field of personal security to ensure that it is both effective and discreet.