PRISON wagons are being used by a North-East police force in its fight against anti-social behaviour.

Cleveland Police have been issued two mobile jail cells, adapted to hold six prisoners at any one time.

The first cell targeted trouble hot spots in Guisborough, east Cleveland, on Wednesday.

The wagons were formerly used by the Prison Service, but the force saw the potential and benefits they could provide as an aid to policing the streets.

Inspector Tim Blades said the project, which will see the vehicles renovated and carrying the Cleveland force livery, was being developed through partnership with the Safe in Tees Valley initiative.

He said: "The benefits to us are very wide-ranging, especially when being used to quell disorder.

"Anyone arrested can be out into one of the secure cell units and the officers can be straight back on to the streets. It allows the officers to deal with an ongoing incident. They can stay on the street longer until the problems are resolved and normality restored. People who are held in the vehicles as a result of their violent or disorderly behaviour will not enjoy the experience at all.

"It would take three vans to hold six prisoners, so the benefits immediately add up. It gives us greater flexibility and they are a very impressive deterrent sight on the streets."

John Bentley, of Safe in Tees Valley, said: "Public concern about the increase in violent crime, binge drinking and town centre disorder is well documented.

"Whilst there is no simple solution, Safe in Tees Valley has funded the vehicles to add another resource to the range of initiatives currently being developed by the police and community partnerships across the area."