A NORTH-EAST company has provided the Northern Ireland Office and the Police Service of Northern Ireland with an external confidential call line for staff to report wrongdoing in the workplace.

The contract to provide the service has been won by Safecall, a company based in the North-East of England Business and Innovation Centre, in Sunderland.

Safecall will provide a 24-hour telephone service for police officers and civilian staff to report concerns over a range of issues.

These include discrimination and sectarianism, corruption and other integrity concerns, bullying, harassment and any other wrongdoing.

The introduction of the service is the final measure to support the HM Inspector of Constabulary's recommendations.

The service ensures that the information will be passed to the top echelons of the organisation so that problems can be dealt with effectively and speedily.

Policing Board chairman Professor Desmond Rea said: "The scheme would complement the police service's code of ethics which was launched last month."

Safecall director Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate said: "I would like to welcome the Police Service of Northern Ireland as clients of Safecall.

"To take such a step says much about the Police Service of Northern Ireland."