Former soldier Adrian Kirkbride, 47, promoter and owner of Nemesis Boxing Club, and Antony Clague, 35, who was formerly in the construction industry, have set up AJ Security to protect businesses and residents using on-street patrols.
The men also hope the technical side of their business will take off with CCTV monitoring, alarm response, key holding, surveillance, alarm installation, venue security and festival security.
Mr Kirkbride, who has been in the security business off and on since he was 19, said the rising number of burglaries and antisocial behaviour in Maryport has had him considering this business for a while.
But it was the murder of keen boxer William Richardson, 34, that turned an idea into a reality.
βHe was one of ours,β Mr Kirkbride said.
A burglary in his own home was the catalyst for Mr Clague.
The men stress that they are not vigilantes. They are being hired by local businesses and homeowners to do irregular patrols on foot or by car to ensure properties are safe.
AJ Security will operate in Maryport, Flimby, Allonby and Dearham initially and will spread their services as the business grows.
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