THE region's biggest police force has defended spending more than £600,000 on public relations last year.

Northumbria Police paid £627,000 last year on external communications, marketing and its press office.

It had been asked how much it spent on such functions following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by The Times newspaper.

Its outlay was said to have increased by more than 55 per cent since 2005.

Recently, the force doubled its team of press officers - who deal with requests from the media - from six to 12.

Northumbria Police - which has been criticised for allegedly refusing to release details of serious incidents in its area - said it wanted to market itself better to meet the public needs.

In a statement, its deputy chief constable, Derek Warcup, said: "Although crime in Northumbria has fallen significantly in the past ten years, our research shows that the perception of crime has not.

"We've therefore invested a significant amount in services which aim to make sure people have a better understanding of the true picture of crime in their region, helping them feel safer in their communities.

"Our marketing campaigns support operational activity, enhancing the work of officers in tackling particular offences.

"Also, following consultation with our key partners in the media, we've expanded our media and communications department, offering an extended service by opening the press office for longer hours during the week and introducing weekend opening.

"We couldn't have achieved this without taking on several new members of staff."

Mr Warcup has previously said there was "no substance whatsoever" to claims that it deliberately withholds information about crime from the media or the public.

Northumbria Police has been criticised by Tynesidebased freelance journalist Nigel Green for its "news management" techniques.

Mr Green said: "There is a culture within the force that says if in doubt give nowt out. There have been a large number of crimes, details of which have not been released at all or only weeks later.

"You can also have whole weekends where apparently nothing is happening in what is England's fourth biggest police force area."

According to The Times' figures, Durham Police spent £124,316 on external communications, marketing and its press office last year.

Neither Cleveland Police or North Yorkshire revealed how much they had spent.

A spokesman for the Cleveland force said it had asked for more information about the FOI request, but it had not been forthcoming.

North Yorkshire Police refused the FOI request because of the cost of