The country's first 'private police force' is investigating hundreds of crimes that regular officers are too busy to look at.

A firm led by former Scotland Yard senior officers has successfully prosecuted more than 400 criminals and is now carrying out murder inquiries.

TM Eye, which has a 100 per cent conviction rate, is thought to bring more private prosecutions than any organisation besides the RSPCA.

The company, the country's first de-facto private police force, is operating against a backdrop of rising crime rates and police budget cuts. Its activities include: