POLICE forces across the North-East and North Yorkshire are gearing up for the introduction next month of European human rights legislation into British law.

The region's four forces said training was well under way for officers and civilian staff ahead of the Human Rights Act coming into force on October 2.

Northumbria Police have hired the UGC Cinema, Boldon, South Tyneside, for nine days over the next three weeks to hold training sessions.

Rest days have been cancelled and more than 500 operational and support staff will attend the lectures.

Chief Constable Crispian Strachan said: "This is probably the single most important piece of legislation the police service has ever had to take on board.

"While it doesn't create any new offences or give the police any new powers, it provides a framework against which our decisions can be tested."

Chief Inspector Allan Bowman, who helped design the training programme, said: "If police staff do their jobs properly, in a professional manner, then human rights will be protected.

"The Human Rights Act sets and guarantees standards which are central to the ways in which we police the community we serve."

A Durham Police spokeswoman said: "We expect all operational officers to have received their training by October 2."

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "By the end of this week, the majority of staff will have receive human rights training."

North Yorkshire Police hope to have staff trained by Christmas.