A MAN from Middlesbrough this week became the first person in the town to be arrested for making false allegations of burglary.

The man, in his mid-50s, reported a burglary at his home on June 23 and officers attended.

They requested a visit from scenes of crimes officers to find any evidence of the burglar's identity. The household also received two visits from CID officers.

However, on further questioning of the "victim", police became more suspicious as his story became what officers described as farcical.

They arrested the man for deception and, under questioning, he confessed he had made the story up in order to get a social security crisis loan.

As he was of previous good character and had no previous convictions detectives cautioned him before letting him go.

Detective constable Colin Helyer said: "Other people tempted to make false allegations could face a fine, imprisonment or both as well as a criminal record.

"This gentleman was dealt with appropriately and I believe he will have learnt his lesson.

"However, making false allegations of burglary, robbery or other crimes is treated extremely seriously.

"In Middlesbrough we are making great strides in our war against house burglaries.

"As we have to investigate every report we receive, a great deal of resources both in human terms and monetary terms, is spent investigating burglary.

"I am sure the majority of residents agree these resources are much better spent on crime prevention and detecting crime which has genuinely occurred.

"We will always investigate any crime reported to us and any that start to appear suspicious to us."