CLEVELAND Chief Constable Sean Price has moved swiftly to initiate an independent inquiry to establish the facts behind the beating of an innocent man by police officers.

There are clearly very serious questions facing the Cleveland force over the injuries suffered by Stephen Whenary and we welcome the decisive action taken by Mr Price.

At one point as many as 19 police officers were at Mr Whenary's house in Norton, near Stockton, where he was sprayed with CS gas and beaten around the head with a baton.

When Mr Whenary was cleared of any offences earlier this month, a judge said the police evidence was riddled with discrepancies.

Among the question marks hanging over the case is the fact that the police officer alleged to have administered the most serious injuries went on holiday the day before the trial and could therefore not give evidence.

Mr Price told The Northern Echo on the day the trial ended that the public would expect an investigation into the serious issues surrounding the case, irrespective of whether any complaint was raised.

He is absolutely right because the fight against crime depends on a partnership of trust between the police and the law-abiding citizens they serve.

Cleveland Police has come a long way in terms of restoring public confidence since Mr Price took over in the wake of the Operation Lancet debacle.

If that progress is to be maintained, there must be a thorough, honest and transparent approach to what appears to be a very disturbing episode.