POLICING is being taken to heart in east Cleveland as the force looks to bolster its number of volunteers.

The initiative was pioneered in Saltburn several years ago and is now being spread across Cleveland Police's Langbaurgh district.

There are three volunteers working from Saltburn who started together 11 years ago and still offer their services to police officers and civilian staff.

Chief Inspector Peter McPhillips said: "We are wanting to engage the community in policing issues and see this as a way of involving the public. This allows them to gain a realistic perception of what we can deliver and can share their knowledge within the community.

"The volunteers will undoubtedly bring a variety of skills, talent, experience and local knowledge, which can be utilised in various roles to assist the force in delivering our service."

Bob Empson, a 79-year-old volunteer, said: "It is extremely interesting and very diverse. It certainly keeps the grey matter working, while providing a very useful service to the police."

Cleveland Police Authority member Ted Cox has played a key role in promoting the initiative and believes it can create close links between the community and police.

He said: "It is appropriate that we are extending this scheme at this particular time, when it is vital that we promote the message that what really matters to the public is having a police service able to tackle the issues which affect their daily lives.