Spy course makes participants "Spooks for the day"

04 Mar 08

Members of the general public can learn how to use the latest technology to engage in covert operations thanks to a new spy course in Sheffield.

Organisers said participants will be dropped into a fantasy world usually reserved for characters in hit TV series like 24 and Spooks and made to carry out surveillance missions on “hostile targets”.

Working in teams, wannabe spies will have to try to avoid detection by the targets - who will themselves be kitted out with the latest counter-surveillance gadgets.

"Exhilarating"

The course, run by former special branch detective and undercover surveillance operative Andrew Greenslade, promises to give people the "experience of a lifetime" whilst teaching them real covert operations skills.

"For the general public, this is a fantastic way of experiencing the exhilarating world of fantasy, the sort of stuff you have only seen on the telly and have dreamed about before,” said Greenslade, who has 23 years of active service under his belt.

“We keep abreast of all the latest surveillance techniques and technologies and make sure that the experience is as real as possible, without ever putting anyone in any danger.”

“For the general public, this is a fantastic way of experiencing the exhilarating world of fantasy, the sort of stuff you have only seen on the telly and have dreamed about before...”

Former special branch detective Andrew Greenslade

Formal framework

A two-day, corporate course has also been devised to help employees bond whilst neutralising 'enemy' targets.

"For companies and organisations, they can still experience the thrills and spills of covert operations, but with a much more formal framework and using the field work as a foundation for team building and personal development exercises,” said Greenslade.

WFO Training, which facilitates the course, said security workers, police and government employees can have an extra module built on to the course that will provide nationally-recognised Surveillance Operative Skills Training.

The next ‘Covert Ops’ course takes place in Sheffield on Saturday, 12th April 2008. Prices start from £95 per head. Click here to find out more.

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