CLEVELAND Fire Brigade has been given top rating for their safeguarding standards.

It comes with the Brigade getting an excellent rating following an independent audit by the Teeswide Adult Safeguarding Board (TSAB) where four areas of ‘best practice’ and a further two areas of ‘good practice’ were highlighted by the independent board.

TSAB is the statutory body that sets the strategic direction for adult safeguarding.

Chief Fire Officer Ian Hayton said: “We take our public responsibilities very seriously and this provides our communities with reassurance that we are dedicated to and have sound arrangements in place to protect them.

“Their safety is our number one priority.” Mr Hayton praised his colleagues for the ‘excellent result’ and said it was testament to their professionalism.