More about this area

Cleveland Police covers a small geographical area of 231 square miles encompassing the areas of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and
Redcar & Cleveland.

Whilst geographically small, it faces significant challenges with high levels of crime and demand for policing services resembling that experienced by much larger metropolitan forces. The demand on the force is further challenged due to several of its wards experiencing high levels of social deprivation.

The force serves an increasingly diverse population of almost 590,000 residents. Cleveland has a long industrial history which includes petrochemicals, a nuclear power station and busy seaport. The area is also home to Middlesbrough Football Club and Teesside University.

The force has approximately 2,500 staff, including over 1,500 police officers. Policing the communities of Cleveland is supported by police staff, Police Community Support Officers, the special constabulary and volunteers.

For the 12 months ending December 2024 the force dealt with approximately 244,000 calls for service and recorded approximately 73,000 crimes.  Over the same period, the force increased its solved crime rate by 3.1% pts.  Despite a crime reduction of 10%, the force’s overall crime rate continues to be the highest in the country.

Following the tragic events in Southport in July 2024, Cleveland Police experienced significant public disorder in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.  Despite the shocking and unprecedented nature of these events, the force’s response demonstrated the ‘one team’ approach of its mission of Policing Cleveland Together with officers and staff supporting each other and the communities they serve.

A clear direction, supported by an embedded strategic plan, effective performance management and visible leadership, has driven the improvements outlined in the 2023-25 PEEL inspection.  Cleveland Police recognises it needs to continue to improve and is committed to progressing the force to be the best it can be by making the most efficient use of the resources available to improve outcomes for victims and the communities it serves.

Cleveland Police cover a small geographical area of 231 square miles covering the areas of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Redcar & Cleveland. 

Despite being geographically small, Cleveland Police faces significant challenges with high levels of crime and demand for policing services resembling that experienced by much larger metropolitan forces. The demand on the force is further challenged due to several of its wards experiencing high levels of social deprivation. 

The force serves an increasingly diverse population of almost 570,000 residents. Cleveland has a long industrial history which includes a petrochemical industry, a nuclear power station and a busy seaport. The area is also home to Middlesbrough Football Club and Teesside University. 

The force has approximately 2,500 staff, including over 1,400 police officers. Policing the communities of Cleveland is supported by police staff, Police Community Support Officers, special constabulary and volunteers. 

The force has dealt with approximately 232,000 calls for service in the 12 months ending December 2022 with approximately 81,700 crimes recorded during the same period. Overall recorded crime rate continues to be one of the highest in the country.

Despite experiencing very high levels of demand, Cleveland Police works hard to be the best it can be with the people and budget it has available. During the 2021/22 PEEL inspection Cleveland Police’s workforce demonstrated how hard they all work and their collective ambition for the force to continue improving its outcomes and service to the communities of Cleveland. 

Cleveland Police recognises it needs to continue improving and is committed to progressing the force to be the best it can be. 

The force acknowledges the plans for its journey to improvement are ambitious but is already demonstrating significant progress in some areas of its service including how it records crime and responds to the public. 

There is a new plan in place, which includes a new strategic direction and a strengthened Chief Officer Team who, along with other senior leaders, will provide the required stability to take the ambitious plans forward and for Cleveland Police’s potential to be realised.