CLEVELAND Police have one of the lowest clear-up rates for fraud and forgery offences in the country.

Figures released by the Government in response to a parliamentary question have revealed the force solved only 41 per cent of forgery offences which were recorded between 1998 and 1999.

This compared with 78 per cent for the Cumbria force and 67 per cent for the North Yorkshire force.

The Cleveland clear-up rate had increased slightly since 1997, but was still lower than three years ago.

The figures released referred to 43 police forces. Only 11 had lower clear-up rates than Cleveland.

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