POLICE nationwide are turning to the North-East's expertise as they prepare to launch neighbourhood policing across the country.

Officers in Hartlepool were among the first in the country to take part in the initiative, which gives every community local officers who are easily accessible for help and advice.

Rooms in schools, offices, community centres and shops have been transformed into mini police stations, where officers could hold surgeries.

Cleveland Police have helped to create a guide for other forces, which sets out points to consider when launching neighbourhood policing, and has been included on the national neighbourhood policing website.

It covers issues such as setting up shared-use offices, property layout, health and safety, and technology.

Mike Hopkins, from the force, said: "It is an aide-memoir to police officers and non-technical staff that raises the awareness of points to consider.

"It is about the best use of resources set out in a user-friendly guide that clarifies roles and responsibilities for all concerned.

"Step by step, it creates a guide which explains the whole process to deliver neighbourhood policing effectively.

"The fact that it is available to all other forces is a testimony to the team's commitment and hard work in developing a collaborative tool which not only supports us locally, but our colleagues nationwide."

The guide was created mainly by estates officer Vicky Downs.

It is the first of its kind and will be used by other Cleveland Police districts as they expand neighbourhood policing.

The initiative was launched in Hartlepool in April last year, with 74 police and support officers allocated to cover all 17 council wards in the town.

In October, Hartlepool Borough Council said it was the victim of its own success after a backlog of anti-social behaviour cases.

After the launch of neighbourhood policing, more incidents were being reported, leading to the backlog, which has now been cleared.