NORTHUMBRIA police has attempted to reassure the public over the extent to which it is gathering communication data.

The force successfully requested access to texts, emails, phone calls and web searches 21,291 times between 2012 and 2014.

This was the fourth highest figure of any force in the country.

Forces can ask for access to such information under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000).

Campaign group Big Brother Watch said that despite claims to the contrary, police were continuing to access vast amounts of data on citizens.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria police said:”The public can be reassured applications for RIPA authority are made only when deemed necessary and in order to detect crime and keep people safe.

“[This] activity is not entered into lightly and rigorous processes are in place leading to it being granted.”

Elsewhere, Cleveland police had 4,262 requests approved, Durham 6,771 and North Yorkshire 3,113.

Big Brother Watch said police forces made 733,237 requests for communications data over the 2012-14 period, the equivalent of one every two minutes.

Its chief executive Renate Samson called for greater safeguards on access to such personal information, as well as independent judicial approval as standard before the go-ahead is given.

She said: “Until these safeguards exist the public will have little confidence that the powers to access their communications are being used only when it is truly necessary and appropriate.”