A POLICE force's progress over the past year is outlined in a new report.

The Chief Constable's annual report for 2000-2001 has just been published by Cleveland Police, and, for the first time, can be accessed on the Internet.

It includes special features on all four of the force's districts and highlights innovative schemes, such as signing youngsters up to "acceptable behaviour contracts" and Faithwatch, an initiative to protect places of worship.

There is also a behind-the-scenes look at the investigation to find the killers of Mohammed Sharif, in Middles brough.

A Visibility Statement setting out how the force aims to let communities know of its work can be found alongside the report on the Cleveland Police website.

Introducing the report, Chief Constable Barry Shaw writes that, despite a disappointing budget settlement, an increase in the force's share of council tax meant he was able to maintain service levels and recruit extra officers.

He says: "This was further boosted by additional money from the Government's Crime Fighting Fund, which financed the recruitment of an extra 20 officers, taking the total recruited in the year to 81."

He praises officers for doing a professional job, despite a series of high profile cases against the force.

The report can be accessed at police stations and local libraries, and via the website www.cleveland.police.u