EXHIBIT (a)(8)

Text of Press Release issued by Burns International Services Corporation on
August 21, 2000:

Date                                              For More Information Contact:
----                                              -----------------------------
August 21, 2000                                   Anne Ireland (Analysts)
                                                  312-322-8550

                                                  Lynn Glovka (Media)
                                                  312-322-8511

        BURNS INTERNATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION ANNOUNCES EXPIRATION OF
                        HART-SCOTT-RODINO WAITING PERIOD

CHICAGO - Burns International Services Corporation (NYSE:BOR) announced today
that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act
of 1976 expired on August 19, 2000 with regard to the pending cash tender offer
by Securitas Acquisition Corporation to purchase all of the outstanding shares
of common stock of Burns International Services Corporation at a price of $21.50
per share. The expiration of this waiting period satisfies one of the conditions
to the tender offer. The tender offer and withdrawal rights are currently
scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on September 1, 2000,
unless extended.

                                  * * * * * * *

This news release does not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of
an offer to sell securities. The parties are required to file documentation with
the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning this transaction. WE URGE
INVESTORS TO READ THE SCHEDULE TO, THE SCHEDULE 14D-9 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT
DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE
THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. These documents may be obtained free of
charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain a copy of each
of these documents free of charge from MacKenzie Partners, Inc., the information
agent for the tender offer, by calling toll-free (800) 322-2885.