Western Resources makes bid for ADT

Sixty-three councils said their town centre CCTV systems had been supplied by foreign companies about which there had been ethical or security concerns (Clive Gee/PA) (PA Wire)

New York - Western Resources, a Kansas-based energy and security company, yesterday made a $2.6bn (pounds 1.55bn) hostile bid for ADT, the largest home security company in the US that is chaired by Michael Ashcroft, the British entrepreneur, writes David Usborne.

Western Resources said it planned to arrange an emergency shareholders' meeting to unseat Mr Ashcroft and the ADT board.

Only three months ago ADT eluded a $5bn bid by another US security firm, Republic Industries. Republic was forced to withdraw after the value of its stock unexpectedly tumbled.

There was no immediate reaction from Mr Ashcroft or ADT. Stock in ADT soared 16 per cent in early New York trading, reaching $23.375 a share. Tuesday's closing price was $20.125. The offer prices ADT shares at $22.50 each, which would value the entire company at $3.5bn. Western Resources is already the owner of 27 per cent of ADT stock.

Already this week, Western Resources agreed to buy the home alarm unit of Westinghouse Electric for $368m.