SECURITY group G4S today forecast a strong performance next year after operating profits rose 12% in the first nine months of 2009.

The company, which provides services ranging from cash transportation to facilities management, said government and new markets buoyed the business at a time of slightly slower growth in commercial security services.

It said revenues were ahead 9% at constant exchange rates in the period to the end of September, while margins improved by 0.2%.

Recent contracts have included the running of two immigration detention centres for the UK Border Agency, at Brook House and Tinsley House near Gatwick. And an electronic monitoring contract worth £40 million a year has also been extended for a further two years.

The company also runs Parc Prison, the only private prison in Wales, while other notable contracts include facilities management for the Olympic Delivery Authority and the Ministry of Defence, as well as the first contract to monitor offenders in Northern Ireland.

G4S - formerly Group 4 Securicor - is the largest employer quoted on the London Stock Exchange, with 585,000 staff in more than 110 countries.

In a trading update, the company said: "Our businesses have continued to perform well despite facing challenging market conditions.

"In the first nine months of 2009 the group has achieved robust organic growth and margin improvement and we remain confident that we can deliver a strong performance in 2009 and into 2010."