Covert patrols by private security firm aim to combat crime in rural Teesdale

DWINDLING police numbers and a spike in rural crime has led to a private security company recruiting former soldiers to battle the problem.

Sparta Security, in Darlington, is hoping to tackle the growing issue of burglaries in Teesdale by using high-tech equipment such as night vision and thermal imaging goggles as well as covert patrols.

The company is renowned for its appearance on BBC3’s reality television programme Rent A Cop. Several farms in the upper dale were targeted by thieves during the autumn last year but police succeeded in arresting six people in connection with the crimes in December.

However, Francis Jones from Sparta claims police cuts are making safeguarding sparsely populated areas more difficult.

He said: “I have read newspapers and seen notifications that farm machinery has been stolen and rural communities have been in touch asking ‘how can Sparta help’?

“Police can deal with rural crime and from what I have seen they deal with it effectively, but government cuts mean there is less protection for farmers and rural crime is soaring. I understand it will be met by some controversy but our clients have the option of using Sparta or not.

“I have personally been on a Farm Watch operation with the police and think the way they work is remarkable, but crime still occurs and I know my team can definitely help deter poachers, thieves and criminal activity. I have military officers enquiring about jobs. These officers are too good for static guarding jobs on building estates, so Sparta recruited the best and are providing a team of specialist officers specifically looking for thieves.

“We are going out to catch these individuals who no doubt will be carrying hunting equipment, have dogs and possibly weapons, so the Sparta Farm Security Team have to the best of the best.

“Our team will be out walking down farm tracks, woodlands and going off the beaten track at various hours.

“I understand this could possibly be frowned upon by officials within the police but my men are trained and skilled to a high level and will be looking at detaining potential assailants.”

On its website, the company says it can detain someone on a farmer’s land until the police arrive.

Staff wear body mounted CCTV which will record any incident – the footage can be handed to the police as evidence.

Mr Jones added that CCTV cameras and alarms on farms alone are not enough to deter thieves.

He said people in the area are the “eyes and ears” who can help provide information about criminal activity.

He said: “It’s working out a jigsaw and understanding when crime has happened in your area. By talking to Farm Watch and residents within the community helps Sparta put pieces of the jigsaw in the correct order.

“Farms get hit and rural communities get broken into, and Sparta can dedicate its entire man hours to this task and help police.”

The private security company is visiting marts and other agricultural events to promote the new farm security team.