Some of the national papers have picked up on our story about former professional boxer "Fearless" Francis Jones starting a "private police force" to tackle crime and disorder on Darlington estates.

Trained doormen, employed by Sparta Security, are offering residents of Skerne Park and Eastbourne protection for a charge of £3.50 a week.

I have to say I have a bad feeling about it all. I don't question Mr Jones' motives, and I hope I'm proved wrong, but it seems to me to be the beginning of a slippery slope.

I can see it ending in tears.