Liz Lamb looks at how an estimated £8m deficit in Cleveland Police's budget could have been spent.

COMMUNITY police officers provide a valuable service that no force should be without. They tackle anti-social behaviour, dog-fouling, underage drinking and litter, all demons that can affect our quality of life.

They also help to free up police officers' time, which can then be dedicated to fighting the war against crime.

Cleveland Police could have employed an extra 100 of these officers to patrol the streets of Teesside with the money that has disappeared into a so-called "black hole".

Another regular 100 police officers could have been on hand to respond to the public's 999 calls and to investigate crimes.

The force could also have installed about 20 security cameras in any of the region's town centres, providing a central control and round-the-clock surveillance, which would have helped in the force's crime reduction rates.

Last night, Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, called the situation crazy and said Cleveland Police Authority chairman Councillor Ken Walker should quit.

The public and councillors have already called for the resignations of senior Cleveland Police officers.

Mr Kumar said: "A few days ago, we were told that there was a £6.8m gap in their finances. Now we are told it could be up to £8m.

"This is simply crazy.

"The Cleveland force is a small one and losses of this kind can cause possible irreparable damage to the fabric of policing in our local communities.

"I just cannot see how one can just mislay cash sums of this magnitude."

The force is no stranger to controversy over money.

In April 1999, hundreds of thousands of taxpayers' cash was wasted after senior officers libelled three of their uniformed men.

A year later, a public inquiry was demanded over fears that the cost of the police corruption inquiry, Operation Lancet, had run up a £5m bill.

In June 2000, Chief Constable Barry Shaw faced calls for his resignation after a catalogue of errors turned an inquiry into the theft of a £20 boiler into a £500,000 farce.

The cost of the Lancet inquiry reared its head again in March 2001, when it was revealed the force had been given a £1.9m Government handout to help soaring costs.

An independent inquiry later reported that £900,000, which was enough to buy the force 100 patrol cars, was spent in salaries and £430,000 was paid in overtime during the Lancet investigation alone.

On February 25, members of the Cleveland Police Authority will meet to discuss the budget for 2004/05.

The authority's chairman and chief executive face a difficult task after already having been let down by assurances from the Chief Constable, Sean Price, and the force's finance department over last year's budget.

One thing is certain, the people of Teesside will want to know just where this shortfall has gone.

Coun Walker promised last night that the findings of the inquiry by the Audit Commission would be made public.

"I will leave no stone unturned and I will explain to the public where it has gone," he said.