NEIGHBOURING police forces are considering teaming up to provide joint training for all ranks and specialities.

Durham and Northumbria forces are about to introduce their basic training regime for new-start probationers.

The Initial Police Learning and Development Programme for the two forces begins at Durham Police headquarters on Monday

It meets new national guidelines on the way recruits are introduced to policing, and follows the closure of the Durham site of the national police training body, Centrex, tomorrow.

The two forces are now considering collaborating over training needs through all ranks, over and above the new basic scheme.

A joint vision for training needs was outlined to Durham Police Authority yesterday.

It could lead to the setting up of a North-East police college and also generate income by offering its services to outside groups.

Durham Deputy Chief Constable Jon Stoddart said: "There's lots more we can be doing in terms of training delivery."

Superintendent Brian Graham, of Northumbria Police, and Inspector George Osborne, of the Durham force, have spent four months studying what more could be done in the training field. Of five options considered, they favour the full collaboration on training, between the forces.

The authority agreed to back a feasibility study into a collaborative training programme. North-umbria Police Authority will be asked to back the study.

* Cleveland Police have teamed up with Teesside University to provide their training needs.