It is not uncommon for police officers to make their way into the field of security, said the president of one of Bermuda's home protection businesses.

Darrell's Security Systems president Mr. Neville Darrell, who made that move several years ago after over 18 years in the Police Service said: "As a Police officer my thrust was detecting crime, now I'm more involved in preventing crime.'' The former St. George's Cup Match cricket captain's business is affiliated with Hagerstown, Maryland-based Dynamark Security Centre.

Mr. Darrell services more than 100 clients on the Island and his business has seen a 20 percent increase in clients as well as sales over each of the past two years, he said.

Ninety percent of his clients are homeowners.

"Look at the crime statistics, crime is definitely increasing,'' he said.

"And people are more aware of crime, they are beginning to accept that times have changed in Bermuda.'' But escalating crime is not unique to Bermuda, it is a problem the world over, he said.

"I think its very clearly linked with extensive use of drugs everywhere, and Bermuda is no exception,'' he added.

Mr. Darrell helped found the Police Force's narcotics squad in the late 1960s.

"Even then drugs were a concern,'' he said. "There was a time when criminals might have targeted certain parts of the Island but now it does not matter.'' He is aware of cases where a criminal has broken into one room while the homeowner is watching television in another.

As the criminals become bolder, Mr. Darrell believes they may become more dangerous.

But most homeowners are still "reactive'' calling security system installers after a crime has occurred.

"They still believe it will happen to their neighbours, not them.'' Because of the advanced technology it is very difficult to neutralise a security system, he added.

A security system can cost from $2,000 to $8,000 but extensive equipment can mean a much higher price tag.

"We offer some of the latest in wireless technology,'' he said.

There are moe than 100 Dynamark franchises, with the Bermuda operation the only one located outside the US.

He said the quality of products available is growing by leaps and bounds.

In May, Mr. Darrell attended the annual Dynamark convention which highlighted new products and services offered by Dynamark.

After retiring from the Bermuda police force as a Detective Sergeant in 1978, he moved to the US in 1980 where he worked as a security supervisor.

Mr. Darrell, also a former captain of Bermuda's national cricket team, then worked as a sales representative for a Dynamark Security Centre franchise in Inglewood, New Jersey before buying his own franchise and later starting the Bermuda operation.

He continued to live in the US while a colleague operated the franchise in Bermuda.

About two years ago he chose to run the Bermuda operation full-time.

Mr. Darrell is also a licensed private detective and a pursues graphology, the study of handwriting as a means of identifying personality traits.

CRIME PREVENTER -- Former Police detective Mr. Neville Darrell.