Tag: sparta security

Rent A Cop Christmas Special Clips Released

By on 18th December 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV

The final episode of the Rent A Cop series may have aired last night, but there’s still more to come…

Fans of the show will be pleased to hear that the Rent A Cop Christmas Special will be aired on Tuesday 22nd December.

The festive episode is set to see the return of faithful Sparta sidekick Luke ‘Pembow’ Pemberton, and the debut appearance of ‘Sparta Claus’.

Ahead of the episode’s first airing, BBC Three have released two exclusive clips as a taster. See the clips below…

Sparta frontman Francis Jones is also reported to be stepping back into the boxing ring, where he’ll be living up to his nickname ‘Fearless’. Secretary Rachel will be taking on the role of drill instructor as Francis works to shed the pounds before his comeback charity match.

Word on the street in Darlo is that the Sparta gang have had their Christmas tree up since early November, so the episode should be full to the brim with festive cheer and – hopefully – some wintery justice… Francis Jones style.

Have you seen Sparta’s Christmas tree? Are you looking forward to the Christmas Special? Leave a comment below!

Rent A Cop Episode Seven: Twitter Turns On Francis

By on 11th December 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV

Episode seven of ‘Rent A Cop’ just aired. What do we think?

Well… we enjoyed it.

Francis has been up to his usual shenanigans in this week’s episode, taking charge of event security at Middlesbrough’s balloon festival, and on the hunt for a mischievous fish burglar. It’s a fine display of professionalism and dedication, especially considering he spends the latter half of the show with his arm in a sling.

Meanwhile, and despite having lost his job last week, Pembow is still out on the hunt for new business, doing his best to give away free promotional Sparta Security stickers. Admittedly, his efforts were largely unsuccessful, but fair play to the lad for his determination. A phone conversation between him and Francis reveals that he finally moves on and finds himself new emplyment in industrial cleaning.

Best of luck to him! But will we see him again?

Following Pembow’s dismissal, Francis is forced to pull together a band of local security experts to run operations. A selection of Darlington’s finest attend Sparta interviews, but sadly none quite make the cut.

 

As usual, the episode is packed full of laughs and – of course – Francis’ now famous one-liners, but the tides of opinion seem to be changing over on social media.

On Twitter, comments have been less-than encouraging…

Still, it can’t be all bad, as Francis is now such a huge TV star that he even has his own parody account. You can follow it here: @FrancisJonesNOT.

There’s just one episode left in the series, but with news of a Christmas special on the way, there should be plenty of Francis left to go around. The question is… will he catch the nuisance bikers before the series is out? We really, really hope so…

If you missed episode seven, it’s now available on BBC iPlayer.

To read our write-ups on previous episodes, click here.

What do you think of Rent A Cop and Sparta Security? Well-intentioned and genius, or ridiculous and embarrassing? Leave your comments below!

Rent A Cop Episode Four: Francis Confirms Feelings Towards Broccoli

By on 20th November 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV

Episode four of ‘Rent A Cop’ just aired. What do we think?

 

We were hoping that this week’s Rent A Cop headline might have been ‘Francis Makes Spectacular Arrest’, but sadly ’twas not to be.

A criminal was – sort of – caught, in the form of a rogue lock gluer, but Francis wasn’t really there, so…

Perhaps the most notable thing to come out of this week’s episode is the importance of broccoli in a healthy, balanced diet. According to Francis, “That’s the key. Broccoli. It’s awesome.”

For further information on broccoli, click here.

Perhaps the star of the show was Dave Ovens. Granted, his walkie-talkie competency leaves much to be desired, but the way he stared down the lock culprit as he walked away was like the physical embodiment of justice itself.

 

Twitter has once again had much to say, though not all of it positive.

https://twitter.com/Hea1y/status/667501996195344384

Harsh.

If you missed the fourth episode, it’s now available on BBC iPlayer.

Check out our thoughts on episode one, two and three.

In other news, please be aware of the unidentified man currently on the loose in Darlington. If your locks have been recklessly glued, you can call Sparta Security on 0800 0234480.

What do you think? Is broccoli the next big thing? Do we eat enough of it? Leave a comment below!

[cwa id=’test’]

Rent A Cop Episode Three: Audience Question Show’s Authenticity

By on 13th November 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV, Local Biz, What's New?

Episode three of ‘Rent A Cop’ just aired. What do we think?

 

Half 10 on a Thursday night is quickly becoming our favourite time of the week.

Episode three of Rent A Cop aired last night, and this week’s episode has seen Francis and the Sparta team reaching out to Darlington’s LGBT community. Political correctness is thrown swiftly out the window around three minutes in, when a gay couple – victims of a break-in – are jokingly asked “is this the first time your back door’s been knocked in?”

Francis goes on to battle with his instincts during a trip to Leeds, tasked with protecting a coach-load of drag queens on a night out. “I’ve got to keep telling myself, ‘it’s a man! It’s a man, Francis…”

We’re also shown another side to Sparta apprentice Pembow, who seems to be struggling with staying focused on the job at hand… and staying away from the booze. It’s admirable of Francis to give him the benefit of the doubt, but will Pembow’s employment survive until the end of the series?

 

Meanwhile, over on social media, audience reactions look as though they might be shifting away from being favourable. The burning question on everyone’s mind seems to be… is this for real!?

Apparently Francis’ exploits in this week’s episode have been enough to convince many people that Rent A Cop is all just one big joke. Personally, we’re with @leanneram88 on this one…

Yep, it’s real.

If you missed the third episode, it’s now available on BBC iPlayer.

Check out our thoughts on episode one and two.

What do you think? Is Sparta Security for real? Is it scripted? Is it a joke?

Leave a comment below!

Rent A Cop Episode Two: “No Sid The Sexist”

By on 5th November 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV, Local Biz, What's New?

Episode two of ‘Rent A Cop’ just aired. What do we think?

 

The week following episode one of BBC’s Rent A Cop has seen a few questionable headlines surrounding Sparta Security frontman Francis Jones, but despite accusations of sexism and bringing embarrassment upon Darlo, he’s stuck by his guns.

“Francis Jones is helping people in this town,” he’s been quoted as saying (in the third person), “and I’d like to take a look at their lives and see what rainbows and sunshine they’re bringing to Darlington.”

But regardless of his good intentions, opinions likely won’t have changed following this week’s episode.

Episode two saw the Sparta team continuing their war against a group of bikers, but as yet they haven’t been caught. It may only be a matter of time though, as Francis’ specialist covert techniques (such as turning his shirt inside out) will ensure they’ve got the upper hand.

We were also given a fly-on-the-wall glimpse of Francis’ love life, which will have done little to combat the shouts of sexism. He’s quick to cop a feel early on date night.

Jokes aside, though, the company’s approach to taking on apprentices with criminal pasts is certainly admirable. They seem genuinely hopeful for latest recruit Pembow, whose past involves thieving and a spell in prison. Love him or hate him, Francis is clearly keen to do his bit to better society, and we wish him the best of luck in that endeavour.

 

Once again, viewers took to Twitter to share their own thoughts.

If you missed the second episode, it’s now available on BBC iPlayer.

Check out our thoughts on episode one here.

What did you think of ‘Rent A Cop’? Is Francis’ work questionable, or is a well-intentioned, loveable character?

Leave a comment below! We want to hear what you have to say.

Rent A Cop Episode One: First Reactions

By on 30th October 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV, Have Your Say, Local Biz, What's New?

Episode one of ‘Rent A Cop’ just aired. What do we think?

 

Well, nobody can argue that the first episode wasn’t… interesting.

‘Rent A Cop’ follows Francis Jones, front-man of Darlington-based private security firm Sparta Security, and his team of professionals in their battle to rid the streets of crime. With a cast of visionaries and eccentrics, it certainly made for an entertaining half hour.

Click here to watch the trailer.

To begin with, it’s difficult not to be mildly inspired by Jones. A born-again Christian (though not a ‘religious nut job’, he assures us), he’s built an impressive business in a short space of time, and there are plenty of folks in Darlo who are only too happy to purchase the firm’s services.

But when the fly-on-the-wall documentary reveals such titbits of information as his ‘investment’ in silicone breasts for his secretary, it’s also difficult not to raise your eyebrows.

 

Despite a long list of easily quotable one-liners (“You want ice cream, you go to Tom & Jerry”), some of the best laughs are to be had over on Twitter, where viewers have been quick to share their reactions.

Jones has previously stated that ‘Rent A Cop’ could make or break the business, and with another seven episodes yet to air, it’ll be interesting to see whether a few more Darlo residents will be signing up for Spartacus’ help.

If you missed the first episode, it’s now available on BBC iPlayer.

What did you think of ‘Rent A Cop’? Does Francis’ work inspire you, or does it cast a negative light on Darlington?

Leave a comment below! We want to hear what you have to say.

Darlington Security Firm Documentary Airs Tonight

By on 29th October 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Self-styled Spartan Warrior Francis Jones stars in the BBC Three documentary ‘Rent A Cop’ tonight…

Having been followed by BBC cameras throughout the year, Darlington-based security firm Sparta Security will tonight be featured in the first episode of their eight-part series.

Titled ‘Rent A Cop’, the observational documentary follows frontman Francis Jones and his team on their mission to clean up the streets of Darlo. The security firm is never far from controversy, however, having been frequently accused of vigilantism.

Watch the trailer:

Francis, a devout Christian, set up the company after giving up work as a doorman and in nightclubs and pubs, where – he once said – he could never resist a fight or a pretty girl.

He’s now committed to making a positive difference in his local community – whether it’s through fighting crime, providing apprenticeships or giving the homeless a place to stay.

Episode one airs tonight at 10:30. Don’t miss it!

Want to find out more about Sparta Security? Visit their website here, or follow them on Facebook.

ADVERTISERS