IT is hard to get away from the fact that controversy seems to follow Cleveland Police around.

As we stated yesterday, the catalogue of embarrassments is hard to believe. At best, it is an accident-prone force.

But, as Chief Superintendent Kevin Pitt prepares to face the music over his Lithuanian nightmare, it is important to remember the real scandal.

And that is the fact that many dedicated rank-and-file officers have to do their jobs while the credibility of their force takes one battering after another, as a result of the actions of the minority, who, too often, happen to be in senior positions.

Given all that has happened, we find it hard to believe that the Home Office has not intervened long ago.

Once Operation Lancet is finally over, the challenging task of rebuilding the good name of Cleveland Police will require fresh impetus and leadership from the very top.

That is the least the vast majority of Cleveland's police officers - and the people they serve - are due.

THE public image of the Royal Family has also taken plenty of knocks in the recent past.

But Prince Charles pulled off a public relations masterstroke when he booked into a £25-a-night bed and breakfast farmhouse in the heart of the Lake District.

For owners Hazel and Joe Relph - warmly praised by the heir to the throne for running a wonderful, cosy farmhouse with splendid food - free adverts don't come any bigger.

And for Charles, the fulfilment of a promise showed him to be a man of his word, in touch with ordinary people, and prepared to do his bit to help boost the tourism industry as it emerges from the dark days of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

It was a move which cost next to nothing, but proved to be priceless.

If it was the prince's own initiative, good for him. If it was the idea of a public relations adviser, Cleveland Police need to sign him up quick.