More about this area
The force says...
Cleveland is geographically small covering the areas of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Redcar and Cleveland. Densely populated with high deprivation levels, several wards are among the most deprived nationally, presenting a significant policing challenge.
We serve around 568,000 residents and an increasingly diverse population. For example, Teesside University attracts around 18,300 students from over 100 countries and Middlesbrough has been identified as having the highest rate of asylum seekers within the UK.
We have a long industrial history with a significant petrochemical industry, a nuclear power station and the busy sea port of Teesport. Cleveland is also home to a Championship football club.
The demand for policing is increasingly complex and there has been a significant increase in violence, mirroring the national trend. Whilst levels of antisocial behaviour have reduced, we continue to record a comparatively high rate per 1000 population, reflecting high levels of social deprivation and high concentration of commercial and licensed premises.
Funding has reduced by £33.5m since 2010, with 488 fewer police officers (28%) and 66 fewer PCSO’s (34%). This, together with the increasing complexity of local demand continues to shape how we will work differently in the future. Developing our understanding of the demand for local policing services is a key priority.
We recognise the need to improve and we are currently going through a significant period of transformation. We do not underestimate the challenges ahead of us and under the leadership of newly appointed Chief Constable Richard Lewis, we aim to provide outstanding services to our communities.
We will do this by preventing crime, antisocial behaviour and tackling criminality; recognising, and safeguarding vulnerable victims; putting our communities at the heart of everything that we do and; caring for and supporting our people.
Disclaimer: the above statement has been prepared by Cleveland Police. The views and information in it are not necessarily those of HMICFRS.