A streamlined information system has been put in place at one of the region's police forces to offer a better service to the public.

Thanks to a new system for gaining information from callers reporting incidents to Cleveland Police, staff at the communications centre will be able to pass on more detailed information.

Twelve call takers have taken a three-day course in Cleveland, with a further nine due to take it this week.

The system was developed in conjunction with an American company and American law enforcement agencies. Its objectives are to ensure public and officer safety, and to gather evidence on which to base a prosecution.

The force said significantly more information is gained through extra questioning of callers, and added that the benefit to the response teams and other operational officers will be improved information in terms of both quality and quantity.

Superintendent Peter Dale, head of communications, said: "The system will provide better quality information to aid officers attending the scene of an incident, and improve issues relating to the safety of the public and police officers, by the careful questioning of callers.

"Although telephone calls will take slightly longer because of the need to gather information, the benefits to the public will be significant.

"But this will not affect emergency dispatches where there is a danger to life, or where an incident is ongoing."