AN embarrassing swoop by debt collectors on a district police headquarters was prompted by an administrative error.
Cleveland Police were last night quick to point out that a visit by bailiffs to the force's divisional headquarters in Redcar had nothing to do with the constabulary's ability to pay bills and was not linked to its £7.3m budget deficit problems.
Assistant Chief Constable Adam Briggs said: "There has been a mistake in the system in relation to some bill being paid. It is not a case of us not being able to pay any bills.
"Whoever says that is just up to mischief."
A force spokesman last night said there had been an administrative error.
Cleveland Police are looking into how the glitch occured.
As previously reported, Cleveland Police Authority chairman Ted Cox has warned that the number of front-line officers may have to be reduced to save money.
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