Crime-fighting IT firm to open Australia office

A Glasgow firm whose products are used by every British police force and many more globally will on Wednesday set up an office in Australia in a move it says marks a “milestone”.

Altia-abm, which specialises in criminal investigation and financial analysis software, said the site in Melbourne will help it serve its growing customer base in Australia and New Zealand and expand further into the Asia-pacific region that it sees as key to growth.

Chief executive Ian Watson said: “I am delighted to announce a very significant milestone for us in Australia, where there is a clear and growing demand for the most advanced tools to combat crime.

"Our ambition is to become a truly global company.”

It comes after the firm, which was established in 2002 and has seen turnover grow by 600 per cent between 2012 and 2017, opened an office in Toronto, Canada, last year.