By Colin Young
With a 60-strong Task Force consisting of mainly ex-Forces personnel offering both covert and overt surveillance on their premises, no wonder companies and businesses under the watchful eye of Sparta Security feel safe and secure.
The Newton Aycliffe-based security operation has implemented its bespoke services to companies across the site.
Their presence is 24/7, and their distinctive 4×4 trucks, hybrid cars and SIA-licensed security officers constantly patrol the nooks and crannies of the area.
And when it goes into lockdown, and in the hours of darkness, their expertise comes to the fore. No strange vehicle, no heavilydisguised ‘pedestrian’ will enter their domain without being subjected to some form of surveillance.
Making sure the streets and business units on Aycliffe Business Park stay safe requires hi-tech equipment, CCTV, mobile security patrols and key-holding and alarm response services, all of which Sparta supply.
Crime prevention is the key to Sparta’s success and managing director Francis Jones says that businesses must take security seriously and only then can Sparta implement security plans which are bespoke to their premises.
And he says businesses who take on Sparta Security have to be serious about their security so he can implement the plan which will work for their premises.
“It’s surprising how many businesses still wait to come to you after they’ve been broken into,” says Francis.
“You can knock and knock and they won’t listen until it is too late, but we sell peace of mind.
“Wherever Sparta are, we give reassurance, and we are out every night on this estate. We have a number of businesses on the park and if we have more of a collective, we can get more men on the ground.
“We are local and activation from our headquarters is less than two minutes anywhere. And because we patrol every night, we see things, and we can help to remind businesses and the MDs about the importance of security.
“They need to have a relationship with me and the Task Force commanders and we can look after their businesses. I’m interested in talking to people who are interested in looking after their businesses.”
With more than 25 years’ experience in security, Francis set up Sparta 10 years ago and it continues to grow day by day, covering the whole North-East region, but the County Durham and Darlington areas in particular.
Preventing criminal activity from Newton Aycliffe’s business hub has not been without its challenges.
“If a van comes on the estate at night we know about it and they see a Sparta-marked vehicle, they race off,” says Francis.
“If we see someone in a hoodie wandering down the street in the estate, we want to know what he’s doing. And he’ll scarper.
“We’re the eyes and ears for the police. All serious incidents and occurrences are always reported immediately and, if necessary, police assistance is requested.”
Sparta already works with a number of companies on Aycliffe Business Park, including PWS.
Jeremy Redshaw, head of manufacturing at PWS, said: “As PWS has grown and now has multiple sites away from its Station Road base, we had to consider security of the satellite buildings.
“We were introduced to Sparta as they were looking after some of the sites for our contractors while the buildings were undergoing building and renovation works. During this time they proved to be reliable and trustworthy with the sites secured properly.
“As such it made great sense to secure the services for these sites on a more permanent arrangement.
“All though our buildings all have CCTV, alarms and secured perimeters we required the additional confidence of somebody on site at all times.
“Sparta have provided a great service with staff who are punctual, polite and as a result of their willingness to assist, have become part of the team, the same people on the same shifts providing continuity and security week in week out.
“My concerns and worries of leaving some buildings empty at night and at weekends were quickly and smoothly eradicated.”
Find out more about Sparta and their services at spartasecurityuk.co.uk. Alternatively, [email protected] or call 01325 582122.