THE Home Office has turned down a request to conduct a public inquiry into the affairs of Cleveland Police in the wake of the Operation Lancet debacle.

Earlier this year, Arthur Preece, former leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, wrote to Home Secretary David Blunkett calling for the inquiry, after a special resolution was passed by the full council.

In the letter, Coun Preece said: "A number of high-profile events over recent months have caused members to question seriously the management of the service, accelerated by recent speculation in respect of the police budget."

The council claims Hartlepool residents pay 38 per cent more to cover policing costs as part of the council tax bill.

The rise affected residents with people in Band A properties across Teesside paying £64 a year for their police service, dismissed by the force as "coppers for coppers".

But now, three months after Coun Preece sent his letter, a reply from Home Office minister John Denham says that the Home Secretary is not prepared to intervene.

In the response, he said the management team of Cleveland Police has put in a steady performance against a difficult situation following the Lancet inquiry.

"I am satisfied that in all the circumstances the budget is not unreasonable. I am therefore not minded to take the matter further at this stage," he added.

Yesterday, Coun Preece claimed Mr Blunkett had "totally underestimated the strength of public opinion."