A phone line set up to handle crime queries has been inundated with calls.

PC Nick Edgar, of Cleveland police, set up the confidential help line to give people in South Bank and Grangetown the chance to leave taped messages on matters that concern them.

All 10,000 households in the area were notified that the system would operate for a three-month trial, and local officers awaited their calls.

A fortnight into the pilot, police say the results have been encouraging. They expect to handle even more qu-eries as news of the service spreads.

PC Edgar said: "We are now getting a stream of calls and it's certainly interesting information. People are telling us about who is committing anti-social behaviour, who is driving while disqualified and who is causing criminal damage to the area."

People who ring - 0845 3000 330 can leave a message at a negligible cost