REDCAR MP Anna Turley has called on the Prime Minister to apologise for 'massive cuts' to neighbourhood policing which she claims have led to rising levels of crime and anti social behaviour.

During Prime Minister's Question Time in Parliament yesterday, she said: "Last night I attended a meeting of hundreds of Redcar residents who are deeply concerned about rising crime and anti social behaviour.

"Crime in Redcar has increased 18 per cent since 2011, we have lost over 500 officers, and suffered £40 million worth of cuts to our local policing budgets.

“Will the Prime Minister commit straightaway to giving back the money for neighbourhood policing and will she apologise to the constituents of Redcar and Cleveland who have had to put their hands back in their pockets through the precept to compensate for her massive cuts?”

In response, the Prime Minister stated extra funding was being provided for police forces and that it was up to police and crime commissioners to decide how that money is spent.

Ms Turley said the Cleveland area had seen a £40m cut to its budget in real terms since 2010/11, leading to the loss of over 500 officers on Teesside's streets.

There have been several public meetings called by residents in east Cleveland concerned about the crime blighting local communities.