Olympic whipping boy G4S has bought another Brazilian company, making it one of the biggest security firms in the rapidly growing country.

G4S has bought security provider Vanguarda Segurança e Vigilância for an undisclosed sum, although the firm noted the Sao Paulo firm has gross assets of £29m.

Vanguarda provides security personnel, security systems and monitoring services and mobile patrols to sectors such as banking, transportation, commercial buildings, education, health and public services.

The acquisition follows the purchase of Interativa Service in December 2011.

The combined purchases make G4S a leader in both the security and facilities management markets in Brazil, in terms of revenue.

G4S' said its strategy was to expand beyond security in selected large developing markets where the market opportunity is large and there is significant growth potential.

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