Competition

In the early 1960’s, SNP started to move into electronics, a new area of technology, with radar alarms.

Also available were hard wired burglar alarm systems, however the cost of anything electronic was very expensive and so installations were confined to commercial premises, factories, warehouses, offices and shops.

The influence of American technology and trends in the security industry saw SNP open their first Grade One Monitoring station in 1967. The multiplex system allowed the transmission of multiple lines over a supervised circuit from one point to another and represented the very latest technology. The system was used for many years by SNP and is the forerunner of most systems now operating throughout the country.

Also in 1967, SNP was contracted for its first manpower job outside of New South Wales when it was engaged for two years to supply security personnel for the new exploration and mining site developed at Gove in the Northern Territory.

Probably the most important development in the 1960’s was the first Sydney Airport contract in 1968, resulting from the increase in highjackings. Thirty five “incidents” were recorded by Australian civil aviation authorities. At the time, security checks were very basic. The small staff of only five or six people would push the metal detection equipment to the boarding gate, checking each passenger before allowing them to proceed to the plane.

Next: Adaption (1970's)