SECURITY
FORCE
FOR GOOD
Sparta Security chairman Francis
Jones with Kev Foster, dealerpoint
manager at Volvo Truck and Bus
Centre Teesside.
More
businesses
signing up
to Sparta
Security
services
WORDS: COLIN YOUNG
PICTURE: CHRIS BOOTH
Francis Jones is a familiar face on the streets
of Teesside and now his aim is to make his
security outfit Sparta Security a welcome
sight across the region’s industrial estates.
The former Hartlepool United footballer set up
Sparta in Darlington more than ten years ago and
his company is now expanding across the North-
East and into Yorkshire.
His unique style of patrolling the streets of
Stockton, Darlington and County Durham and
keeping nightspots and late-night establishments
trouble-free quickly earned him a reputation as a
no-nonsense and shrewd operator in the field.
He even attracted interest from the BBC and
featured in an eight-part documentary on BBC3,
which demonstrated some of the hi-tech security
and surveillance methods which have established
Sparta as one of the leading security firms in the
region.
And the business is expanding. From its
Darlington roots, Sparta has branched out to
a new base on Aycliffe Business Park, where
companies are queuing up to use its bespoke
services, including a 20-man task force patrol
team made up of ex-forces personnel, CCTV,
guard dogs, 24/7 surveillance and the newest
technology.
The latest Teesside company to join Sparta’s
impressive client list is Volvo, based off Portrack
Lane in Stockton, who have undertaken Sparta’s
extensive preventative measures, as well as
signing up for the reassurance of the day and
night patrols at their showrooms.
Francis said: “The services we offer Volvo
include monitoring, patrols, CCTV, alarm
responses, keyholder security. It is a high-quality
service and they are absolutely delighted with it.
We really have put smiles on faces by providing a
quality service.
“We know we are building a solid, dependable
reputation across the area and we want to keep
that going and provide extra security and peace of
mind for our business community.
“They have had enough to worry about recently
but they knew that with us protecting their
premises, they could just concentrate on what was
going on at home, knowing that their businesses
were secure.”
With more than 25 years’ experience in security,
Francis set up Sparta in Darlington and it has
extended across the North-East and beyond.
As well as a new deal with Stiller in Newton
Aycliffe, he recently signed contracts with
manufacturing companies in Sunderland and
Leeds. The company, and the now familiar white
vans, moved into Aycliffe at the start of the year.
The Sparta task force kept its entire Aycliffe
base secure during the recent lockdown, with so
many premises closed. More than 100 guards and
20 task force personal provided covert surveillance
for properties and a number of businesses across
the park implemented its bespoke services.
Sparta’s close links to Durham Police helped
secure a firm ring around client’s locked down
premises, adding to the firm’s growing reputation.
Their presence was 24/7 and their white vans
and SIA-certified guards, largely made up of
ex-military personnel, constantly patrolled every
street and corner of the area with the latest hitech
equipment, CCTV and night and day patrols.
Francis added: “We are winning contracts
because we offer peace of mind. You know
you are leaving your premises in the hands of
professional people.
“It's taken care of by senior advisors and
recruiters who have worked in Iraq and
Afghanistan in close protection work who and are
the eyes and ears of the operation."
76 | Tees Business
Find out more about Sparta and their services at spartasecurityuk.co.uk.
Alternatively, email [email protected] or call 01325 582122.