'Managed by Jesus, directed by God': BBC documentary on Sparta Security's Francis Jones screens this month

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BBC three documentary Rent a Cop followed the exploits of Francis Jones and his staff at private security firm, Sparta Security.

Camera crews shadowed Mr Jones and his crew for months as they work to protect businesses and households across the town and wider afield.

Sparta Security's Francis Jones

The BBC issued a statement describing the upcoming series as "entertaining, funny and observational".

The statement described the born-again Christian and former boxer as a man with a ‘big personality and even bigger dreams’.

It said: “He is on a mission to clean up the streets of Darlington and thinks his private security business is going places.

“This film goes behind the scenes of Francis’ firm and meets the local people the company aims to protect.

“Francis’ unorthodox methods and relentless enthusiasm mean his missions are often hilarious but also heart-warming as he goes the extra mile to help his clients.”

Mr Jones today said the show would prove to be either the wind in the sails or the hole in the boat of Sparta Security.

“I’ll probably have to change my name and take my face from my door after it but it is what it is," he said.

“I’ve seen the first couple of episodes and it’s a bit of a laugh, it’s real life and we’re not acting.

“It’s not about Darlington, it’s about Sparta – Darlington’s like any other town in England, it has good bits and bad, there are naughty boys everywhere.

“If I was a bad lad the show would probably tarnish whatever town I lived in but I’m not.

“I’m no straight-backed Stephen but I am a Christian that doesn’t get told what to do by any man.

“I think they picked us because we’re managed by Jesus, directed by God and the owner’s a bit different – I’m a salmon going upstream, I’m not a normal fish.”

The eight-part series Rent a Cop will be shown on BBC three at 10.30pm on Thursdays from October 29.