A NEW police squad will be on the beat from next week to improve the quality of life for people living in Redcar and Cleveland.

The Neighbourhood Task Group is a five-member team of officers funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

The squad will look at providing long-term solutions to the problems of anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime among local people.

As well as providing high profile patrols and enforcement throughout the east Cleveland borough, the officers will also be visiting secondary schools to speak to pupils.

The team will also be getting involved in diversion activities for youngsters with specialist youth workers.

Sergeant Mike Cane, who is leading the task group, said: "We will be working closely with our partners from the local authority, housing providers and residents' associations to tackle problems that are important to local people.

"With high visibility patrols on the streets, we will provide reassurance through traditional policing. In addition, we will be looking at activities to encourage young people away from congregating on street corners. And we will be visiting every secondary school in the district to talk to the teenagers about their behaviour and the role of the police."

The team will operate throughout the borough of Redcar and Cleveland, spending their first few months in Grangetown.