A ROW has broken out between two North-East police forces over the future of law enforcement.

Cleveland Police Authority chairman Councillor David McLuckie has hit out at comments by Northumbria Police's Chief Constable Mike Craik.

Coun McLuckie accused him of "outrageous scaremongering" by saying the "the public are at risk" from terrorists and organised crime unless proposals to create a single North-East force go ahead.

He said: "I really do think that Mr Craik has gone completely over the top and I would be very interested to know if his own police authority are happy with comments which are bound to undermine confidence in the way policing is delivered in their area.

"Of course, it is the duty of any chief constable, supported by their police authority, to ensure the safety and security of the public they serve, but with that comes the responsibility to provide reassurance and certainly not to raise wholly unnecessary fears."

Today, Cleveland Police Authority will take a further step forward in the legal process by seeking leave from a High Court judge for a judicial review of the way in which the police structure review has been conducted.

Northumbria Police responded to the attack from Coun McLuckie.

Deputy Chief Constable David Warcup said: "The chief constable has made his position absolutely clear from the outset that forces in the North-East need to up their game as a single regional force to improve protective services.

"Standing by and prevaricating on these issues in a clear attempt to frustrate progress will not benefit policing in the area."