SOME of the region’s top police officers will star in a new series of Channel 5’s Police Interceptors.

Camera crews are spending 12 weeks with Cleveland and Durham’s Road Policing Unit, filming officers as they carry out everything from high-speed pursuits, to arresting drink drivers.

The show is filmed and produced by specialist factual TV production company, Raw Cut, and also follows the day-to-day work of specially trained firearms officers and dog handlers.

Steve Warr, the show’s executive producer, said: “We have been covering anything from stolen cars and drink drivers, to drug raids and high-speed pursuits.

“It has been really mixed and it is that variety that makes for a really exciting series.

“For the current series we have been with Lincolnshire Police which is quite a rural area, so we thought it is time to go back to more of a mixed neighbourhood force. It is really busy up here.

“The great thing is that these officers can enforce the law, but also get across road safety messages when needed.”

Film crews and police officers descended on Durham Tees Valley Airport today (Thursday, May 21) to film the opening titles for the show, which is expected to be aired in the summer.

Speaking during the filming, Chief Inspector Alison Jackson, from Durham and Cleveland Specialist Operations Unit, said: “We want to show people exactly what we do to keep people safe in Cleveland, Durham and Darlington.

“I think they have had some opportunities to show us in a really good light and will show people exactly what we do.

“The officers have really enjoyed it and are really professional.”

She added: “People do not often see the work we do around the road policing unit, the firearms unit, and the dog section so it is a great opportunity to show off all our officers and their capabilities.

“It shows the professionalism of all our staff that even when with cuts in these austere times, we still do our very best to keep people safe.”

Two of the officers featured in the show are Acting Sergeant Paul Faulkner and Sergeant Kevin Salter.

Act Sgt Faulkner said: “It is a bit different having someone riding along with you,

“They have been on day-to-day routine traffic work as well as the more exciting things, like firearms incidents and tasering suspects.”

Sgt Salter added: “It has been fantastic, although it was a bit strange at first having cameras filming everything, but you get used to it.

“We have had some really good jobs, including drug raids and car pursuits.”