ONE of the region's police forces has won national recognition for crime-fighting.

Cleveland Police were the first in the country to come up with a way of tackling nuisance crime by identifying ringleaders and sending letters to parents outlining their child's behaviour and suggesting courses of action.

The Acceptable Behaviour Contract piloted by the force was picked by judges as runner-up in a national Tilly award for problem- solving policing.

Tackling anti-social behaviour has meant police, councils, and other agencies working closely together.

Cleveland Police's director of crime, Detective Chief Superintendent John Kelly, said: "There were 80 entries from various forces around the country and I am pleased the hard work we have put into tackling anti-social behaviour has been recognised.

"This is a prestigious award, highly competitive, and a first for Cleveland Police to have received such a plaudit."

The force has picked up a certificate of merit for its anti-social behaviour work from the Hermann Goldstein Foundation.

Letters are sent to parents only after data gathered by officers of young people suspected of committing anti-social behaviour, or after visiting anti-social behaviour hotspots.