A POLICE force has launched a major campaign, promising "additional resources" to prevent crime, protect communities and tackle serious violence.

Officers assigned to Operation Phoenix are being tasked with providing an improved public service from Cleveland Police to support and help vulnerable members of society – such as those suffering domestic abuse.

The campaign will see more officers responding to reports of serious violence and giving vital guidance and care to victims.

Cleveland Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Graham said: “The summer is traditionally a time of increased demand for the police service and Operation Phoenix is being put in place to manage that demand directly through increased protection for vulnerable people and a focussed approached to tackling serious and organised crime.

“We’re doing this in two ways; by changing the way we work and by freeing up resources to support the work of our front line officers and staff. We are focussing over the next three months in a number of key areas and we are committed to delivering improvements over the summer, improvements communities rightly deserve and which will have a lasting effect.”

Operation Phoenix will evolve over the summer, with additional resources of dedicated squad cars becoming operational from Thursday, July 18, staffed by officers working additional hours.

These cars will enhance the response to victims of domestic abuse on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – traditionally peak times for such offences.

As of this week, Crime Prevention officers will be on hand in town centres to offer advice and support to the public every weekday for the next three months.

Additional resources will also be focused on apprehending suspects wanted for crimes, on prison recalls or for breaches of bail.

Proactive operations will be conducted over the course of the summe aimed at disrupting organised crime, targeting criminals and raiding homes and businesses connected to crime.

ACC Graham added: “This is part of our wider drive to deliver outstanding policing for our communities by relentlessly focusing on protecting people, solving problems and tackling criminals.”