CLEVELAND police have announced sweeping changes to cope with huge increases in the number of incidents and 999 calls.

Last year, the number of incidents increased by 34,000 and 999 calls went up by 25pc.

Chief Constable Barry Shaw is to implement major changes to working practices in response to the increasing workload.

New prisoner handling teams will interview prisoners and prepare cases for court, reducing the time spent by operational officers dealing with prisoners and paperwork and allowing them more time out on the streets.

The existing police districts, based on the four local authority areas, will remain and play an increasingly important role in partnership with other agencies.

A new computer system will be introduced in 2003 to maintain up-to-date records of local problems and complaints and the action taken by the police.

Mr Shaw said: "When it's an emergency the public wants us there now; when it is not an emergency people want us to arrive when we said we would; and when we have dealt with their problem they want to know what we have done.

"These are legitimate expectations that we can't deliver with our existing workload and systems; that is why we have to change."

Chief Supt Jeff Evans has been appointed director of response to lead the team of officers which oversees the way police respond to incidents.

The new director of crime, Chief Supt Peter Wilson, is responsible for the crime reduction and investigation strategies delivered by uniformed officers, CID and support staff.

Additional funding provided by the Cleveland Police Authority this year is kick-starting the three-year change programme.

Additional communications staff have already been recruited, more police officers are planned, and the number of officers dealing with drugs and organised crime will increase.

The chairman of the police authority, Coun Ken Walker, said: "The proposals being put forward by the chief constable come only a few days after we have announced the preferred bidder for the Private Finance Initiative project, and they are just as important.

"The additional funding we have provided during the current year will enable us to make a start on the changes which the chief constable has identified as essential if we are to meet the expectations of the public and tackle the key challenges we face in improving community safety, tackling the drugs menace and driving down crime.