More about this area
The force says...
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.
Disclaimer: the above statement has been prepared by Cleveland Police. The views and information in it are not necessarily those of HMICFRS.