Smiths Group, a prominent industrial company, has announced plans to break up its operations following pressure from investors. The company intends to spin off or sell its Detection business and aims to return up to £850 million to shareholders. This decision comes amid increased scrutiny and concerns regarding security and regulatory compliance related to the break-up, as highlighted by recent reports. The move is seen as a response to activist investors advocating for a restructuring of the firm to enhance shareholder value.