ABOLISHING a north of England police force would be a “criminals’ wet dream”, the Commons has heard.

Labour’s Paul Williams warned against scrapping Cleveland Police, arguing it could see expertise lost and result in his Stockton South constituency being policed by two different forces.

He highlighted comments from Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who while campaigning for the post in 2017 suggested abolishing the force following a series of damaging events – and has continued to raise questions and concerns.

Speaking during a Commons debate on crime and anti-social behaviour, Mr Williams said: “His (Mr Houchen’s) response to the woefully inadequate funding and the rising levels of need in the community has been to suggest we abolish Cleveland Police.

“I think that’s really not listening to our communities.

“Our neighbouring forces in Durham and North Yorkshire have to contend with largely rural crime, we have unique levels of urban crime – including serious organised crime.

“Our police have developed a unique level of expertise.

“It’s clear to me that any kind of abolition or merger not only would it split my constituency in two, and one half would be policed by one force and another by another, it would completely dilute the effectiveness – and I think it would mask this fundamental funding unfairness.

“And, actually, taking away the expertise that Cleveland has – the Tory Tees Valley mayor’s suggestion of abolition would be a criminals’ wet dream for Teesside.

“It’d dilute the effectiveness of the police and is entirely the wrong strategic response.”

Home Office minister Victoria Atkins defended the Government’s record on police funding and said it does take seriously the concerns of the North-East.