THE debate over the way the North-East is to be policed in the future is an important one which is destined to go on for some time to come.

But the truth is that the vast majority of people do not care whether a single police force for the whole region is established.

Their concerns are not about amalgamations, organisational structures or bureaucracy. They are about whether the law is enforced in their local communities.

People want to see anti-social behaviour stamped out, criminals hunted down, and police officers patrolling their local streets so that they feel safer.

If the experts really believe that a North-East "superforce" is the most efficient way to tackle major crime and terrorism, then it is going to happen, no matter how vociferous the dissent may be in Cleveland. We do not see a credible alternative.

But what must not be sacrificed is neighbourhood policing, which is visible, accessible and responsive.

In case anyone forgets, one of the main reasons the people of the North-East voted against regional government in such overwhelming numbers was that they feared the loss of 'localness'.

Finding the right balance between a regional law-enforcement strategy and grass roots policing requirements is the challenge which will be facing senior officers once the squabbling is over.