THOUSANDS of people on Teesside are to get the chance to have their say about policing.

The force is to carry out the biggest Quality of Life survey ever undertaken in the area.

In conjunction with Cleveland Police Authority, 12,000 questionnaires will be distributed to gather a detailed cross-section of views, affecting the force and each policing district.

Chief Superintendent Dave Lumb, head of corporate planning, said: "Addresses have been picked purely at random - 3,000 in each district - to analyse responses in detail and enable us to look at the particular needs of people in Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Langbaurgh.

"We want as many people as possible to reply to this questionnaire. At the most it will take about ten minutes to fill in, but that ten minutes gives people the opportunity to let us know what they think policing priorities should be and what developments they would like to see the force make.

"It is a direct line for them to air their views and we will be listening very carefully."

Most questions can be answered with a tick. Sections cover the perception of crime and priorities the force should focus on, from drugs and drink to litter and vandalism.