A CHIEF Constable has spoken out about the difficulties his force faces on a daily basis.

Earlier this week, a BBC report showed Cleveland Police officers stretched to capacity as they tried to deal with the number of incidents across Hartlepool.

Today Chief Constable Mike Veale has launched a defence of the force and outlined the daily pressures that officer are dealing with.

He said: “Every day of the week there are officers and staff out on our streets keeping people safe and protecting our communities by showing the utmost courage. Policing in the 21st Century is a risky business where criminals are more sophisticated, more resourceful and more dangerous than they ever have been before.

"Every day of the week that courage and tenacity results in dangerous criminals being locked up, vulnerable people being protected and members of the public helped in their greatest hour of need.

“Within a few months of my joining Cleveland Police as the Chief Constable I made it clear to all my staff that I want them to push the boundaries, be on the front foot, be in the face of criminals and be audacious in their approach.

"Those who say that the police service has had a culture of blame where risk aversion has been debilitating and impaired the trust and confidence of leadership in rank and file are right. This will not happen in my force.

“It’s absolutely right that local people expect safe streets and secure homes; this is at the heart of British policing. We will get more officers out into our communities and that is what we’re doing through a root and branch review of our services and transformation of the technology we use.

"But we must remember that it is not just about uniformed colleagues patrolling the streets anymore, as it was 20 or 30 years ago. An officer on the streets means an officer not looking after children online, not investigating crimes such as murder, rape and complex cases of child abuse or domestic violence. These are the challenges we face, and we will meet them head on.

“These are complex issues and while simply crying ‘austerity’ is not good enough no one in policing today can claim it isn’t a factor. Forces across the country including Cleveland are more efficient and more effective than ever before but despite this efficiency the service we are providing the public is nowhere near where it needs to be.

“I would not be exhibiting the courage that my officers and staff deserve if I continue to say we have enough resources, if I continue with this commentary that things in policing are okay. They are not okay. The cuts created and caused by austerity are too deep and have gone on for too long.

“We have brilliant people doing a brilliant job but we do not have enough of them and the facts speak for themselves. It is about time that trend was reversed so that we can protect our communities, protect the most vulnerable and protect everyday people who go about their business and protect them with courage, kindness and compassion.

“My message is clear; give us the tools and we will do the job.”