THE region’s police forces are serving their communities well but like the rest of the country need to get a grip on cyber crime, according to reports out today (Thursday, November 27).

An assessment of policing across the UK by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary found that Durham, Cleveland, North Yorkshire and Northumbria forces are good at reducing crime and preventing offending.

The results of PEEL assessments of each constabulary, which looked at police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy, were published today and can be viewed on a new HMIC website.

Durham fared particularly well - rated as outstanding at investigating offending and tackling antisocial behaviour.

Its chief constable Mike Barton- who with his senior team were found to lead by example – and Durham’s police and crime commissioner Ron Hogg were both proud of the force.

Mr Hogg said: “From what I can see we are the only force in the country to get two outstandings and a good rating, this puts us at the top of the pile as far as UK policing is concerned.

“A massive thank-you to the officers and staff who help us achieve this.”

Mr Barton added: “What this does is give us a spring board to become even better.

“We will now look to improve the way we tackle cyber crime, the way we are investigating serious and organised crime and the way we protect vulnerable people.”

The report said the force has achieved savings ahead of schedule so is in a good position to face future financial pressures.

It said communities can have confidence that Durham police provides a good service to victims of domestic abuse and helps keep them safe and highlighted the force’s work to disrupt organised crime groups.

HM Inspector of Constabulary for the Northern Region, Mike Cunningham, said: “Durham Constabulary puts victims and communities at the centre of its activities and makes extensive use of outcomes other than prosecution to deliver what the victim wants.”

He said Cleveland police had worked hard to protect frontline crime fighting roles while saving money, works well with partner organisations to make the best use of resource and has a strong victim focus.

But it needs to improve the way it tackles antisocial behaviour and the accuracy of its crime recording.

Neighbourhood policing is at the foundation of policing in North Yorkshire, which was praised for the determined way it tackles crime and antisocial behaviour.

But the force needs to improve the way it investigates offending and its integrated offender management.

Northumbria has faced some of the biggest cuts across the UK but managed to reduce crime and maintain high levels of victim satisfaction.

Nationally, forces were found to be policing ‘the crimes of today with the methods of yesterday’ and all officers need to get a grip of technological advances so they can deal with online crime.

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor said basic investigative skills and victim care needs to improve as do the capabilities of forces to tackle unreported crime such as cyber crime and child exploitation, which will call for strong leadership.