A POLICE force which earlier this year effectively scrapped neighbourhood policing is to launch a consultation to find out people's key priorities.

Cleveland Police has launched a major consultation on neighbourhood policing, months after its previous temporary boss took all its officers off the beat and on to response.

New chief constable Richard Lewis reinstated some officers on to neighbourhoods but is now looking at a plan for going forward, following a damning HMIC report last month which rated the force as inadequate in all areas.

He now wants to know what people see as priorities for the area they live and how they would like neighbourhood policing to be delivered.

Ch Con Lewis has spoken publicly about the importance of neighbourhood policing, and the need to re-establish good connections with communities.

The results from the survey will be looked at alongside other information available to the Force, and a new neighbourhood policing model will be put into place.

Ch Con Lewis said: “Neighbourhood policing has to be at the heart of the service we deliver. We can’t lose the vital opportunity that it gives us to understand our communities and gain intelligence to solve their problems and tackle crime.

“Our Conversation is the banner under which we will seek feedback from the public, and this first consultation is the opportunity for people to tell us about their neighbourhood.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger said: “Neighbourhood policing has always been a key priority of mine and is one of the most common concerns residents raise with me at community meetings.

“I’ve invested heavily in Cleveland Police’s neighbourhood teams and a key factor in appointing Chief Constable Richard Lewis was his similar commitment to neighbourhood policing.

“I would urge all residents to have their say in this consultation and tell the Force what they want their neighbourhood officers to do for them. We must make the very best use of the limited resources we have to deliver the policing our communities need and deserve.”

In March, previous interim chief constable Lee Freeman pulled officers on to response, ahead of the force's inspection in May, after a reported 30 incidents were not responded to quickly enough in one weekend because of a lack of police numbers.

The survey can be completed on this link

It will also be available in local police stations and officers and staff will be asking people in local communities to ask for their views.