CLEVELAND is to be at the forefront of a national move that will see the re-introduction of bobbies on the beat across the country.

From this month, every council ward in Middlesbrough is to have its own dedicated police officer.

The bobbies will make use of existing facilities such as community centres for drop-in sessions and beat surgeries.

The idea behind the project is that the officers will be highly visible - and recognisable - to the residents they are serving.

Chief Inspector Alastair Simpson, the head of the district's neighbourhood policing team, said: "This is a true example of putting people first. Our approach will mean the community will be able, and encouraged, to influence police activity in their area.

"We expect our officers to work closely with local communities to find sustainable solutions to local problems."

Chief Insp Simpson added that they would be working closely with other agencies such as the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership, the fire brigade, housing associations and youth organisations among others.

"We recognise that we need to work in partnership in order to tackle many of the issues we face," he said.

"Through working with other agencies and the people of Middlesbrough, we can make a real difference to the quality of people's lives. It is this aspiration that lies at the heart of neighbourhood policing."

A dedicated contact number, 01642-302900, has been established for anyone wanting to speak to their neighbourhood officer.

This line will be staffed 24 hours a day and callers may be put directly through to the officer's radio handset if they are available.

Households will be sent leaflets with photographs of their neighbourhood policing team and contact details, and informed when local police surgeries will be held.

An identical dedicated support team - the first of its kind in the country - was launched in Hartlepool last year and has been hailed a massive success.

It was the force's first step towards the Government's vision for police officers throughout the UK to be known by name and readily accessible to the communities they serve.