A POLICE force has hit back at criticism in a national report.

The Audit Commission today reveals that only 17 of the 43 forces in England and Wales are recording crime to National Crime Recording Standards (NCRS).

Under the commission's "traffic light" rating system on crime recording, Cleveland Police was given a "red" rating.

However, the force hit back, saying the fault was an administrative one.

A spokesman said: "For the past six consecutive months, Cleveland Police has brought down crime and performed well.

"It is a consistency that is very bad news for criminals in our area and, as a result, has saved thousands of people the misery of becoming a victim, particularly of the offending that causes most upset such as house burglary.

"This Audit Commission report looks at administrative processes.

"It shows there is a need to tighten up on our paperwork in some areas, and there will be no complacency on our part in doing that.

"Steps have been taken to ensure improvements in compliance with the required national crime recording guidelines, with a key action to enhance the awareness on NCRS requirements amongst all operational staff."

The Home Office said the NCRS was partly to blame for an increase in recorded crime, because it has led to previously unrecorded incidents being included in crime data.

Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "It is essential for crime statistics to be recorded accurately.

"These findings suggest that crime levels may be even higher than are now reported.

"Under Labour, the police are tied up in more red tape and form-filling than ever."