Six years after losing a baby to cot death, a North-East woman says more should be done to curb police intrusion.

As Liesa Robson's baby daughter died in an intensive care unit, police officers were sealing off her family home, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

A doctor's initial diagnosis, that five-week old Kaitlyn could have been shaken, triggered a full investigation.

Detectives visited the family at Newcastle General Hospital for statements while they kept vigil over Kaitlyn, who died on June 27, 1998.

Nearly six years on, Miss Robson, of Stainton Grove, said she was still angry at the way Durham Police handled the situation.

She said: "The police were asking questions and swarming around. They were insensitive and unsympathetic."

Kaitlyn had not been well for a few days before being rushed to hospital in the night after she was found cold and motionless. She was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital and rescusitated. A brain scan showed a shadow.

Miss Robson said: "A doctor said that she had been shaken in the past 24 to 36 hours, causing a haemorrhage. I was horrified. It was a very confusing time for my family, never in a million years did we believe him."

Kaitlyn was taken to Newcastle for further tests, while officers from Durham Police examined the house, questioned neighbours and took statements.

On the day Kaitlyn died, a post-mortem examination was carried out and specialists concluded she had been a victim of cot death. The police investigation was dropped.

Miss Robson said: "I feel the police should have been more discreet and had all the facts before passing judgement.

"Six years down the line, I still read about this happening to others. How have the police not learned and why aren't they getting it right?"

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) is calling for more improvements to the standards of investigations by police forces.

Joyce Epstein, director of FSID, said: "Some progress is being made, but we think it is time to make these improvements mandatory."

Durham Police said positive steps had been taken in the past four years, with the introduction of an Infant Death policy, devised with the help of medical specialists.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Reddick said: "We definitely needed to introduce a policy to be able to handle cases in a professional and understanding manner with the family. Durham Constabulary is one of the most advanced in the country in dealing with infant death."