POLICE recruits will be put through their paces by seasoned veterans after an overhaul of training methods.

Experienced officers will visit the six area command centres of Northumbria Police to provide one-to-one tuition.

The first centre will be South Tyneside, at which six student officers, known as probationers, will start the programme next week.

Chief Superintendent Dave Pryer said: "We are proud of the officers who already deliver an excellent service to people living in Northumbria.

"But we believe this new approach to training will produce officers trained to a consistently higher standard."

Previously, although probationers have been tutored by officers on shifts, training was less structured.

Following a national review of training, the Home Office is encouraging forces to adopt a standardised approach to training to ensure recruits receive the best start in each force.

Students will be taught core duties, including how to patrol, investigate crime, support victims, make arrests and deal with prisoners.