A NORTH-EAST police authority is looking at getting more officers on the beat in a shake-up of the force.

Slowing recruitment and the sale of its headquarters and some stations will also be considered during the review by Cleveland Police Authority.

Police chiefs described the moves as a major shift in policy to improve services to the community.

Chief Constable Sean Price, who will deliver the report at a meeting next week, believes the decisions will lead to an improved force working within its budget.

He said: "There are some difficult decisions to take in the future, as we strive to match the resources available to us with Government expectations and the continuing drive to meet financial targets.

"This is a time of change, but one thing will always remain constant, and that is to provide the best policing service possible to the communities in our area."

The authority is examining police property not included in a Private Finance Initiative proposal to provide new divisional headquarters in Middlesbrough and Redcar.

The review will consider selling the headquarters in Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, premises at Cannon Park, Middlesbrough, and stations in Billingham, Thornaby, Guisborough, Saltburn, Coulby Newham and Loftus. New stations would be provided.

Authority chairman Ted Cox said: "If we are to live within our means and deliver the quality of service our communities have a right to expect, we need to do things better, smarter and more efficiently. That means looking at every aspect of our operations."

The meeting, open to the public, will be at Skelton Civic Hall at 10am on Thursday.