HELLO everyone and welcome to my latest monthly column for The Northern Echo.

When I look back at these columns over the past year, I’m reminded of the diversity of the kind of assignments we are given at Sparta.

Every time the phone rings, something new comes in for us to deal with, and that variety is one of the things I love about running the company.

For example, we were recently called in to protect a construction development at Queen Alexandra Bridge, in Sunderland. Our job was to deter people from climbing up the scaffolding and using it as a base to jump into the water below.

It breaks my heart to think that people are in such deep despair that they would contemplate taking their lives, but mental illness is a growing problem, made worse by the challenges presented by the pandemic.

I’m pleased to say that officers from our 24/7 response team were called twice within the last month after our CCTV systems picked up intruders. We immediately called the police, and the relevant action was taken.

Often, Sparta officers act as mediators between our clients and the police – providing assistance, nipping problems in the bud, and giving reassurance during difficult situations.

We see ourselves as important partners – bridging the gap.

To read the article in full in the Northern Echo follow this link

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19472802.sparta-helping-bridge-gap/