Police chief outlines plans

Mr Price took over the role from Barry Shaw in March this year

The new chief constable of Cleveland Police has been outlining his vision for the future.

Sean Price took over at the helm in March and, despite announcing that crime in the force area had gone up by more than 5% in July year on year, he said he believed his officers were getting results in the fight against crime.

Mr Price said there had been successes in key areas, such as burglary.

He said he planned to tackle crime on Teesside by pouring extra resources into the frontline, including more response vehicles to join scores of extra officers already promised for the streets of Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar.

Controversial inquiry

Mr Price said crime figures can help the public determine how well the force is performing.

He said: "When we were looking at figures yesterday we were able to say, this year, there were 2,100 less burglaries than there was last year.

"That means something to the people of Cleveland and to people who have been the victims of burglary.

"That is the sort of issue we need to be judged on. Have we given a better service this year than last year."

Mr Price said he also hoped to move the force away from its troubled past, especially the controversial Lancet inquiry involving former "Robocop" Ray Mallon, who is now the town's elected mayor.