<P>253 people could have potentially ruined their lives and the lives of others during a Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. </P>

<P>Members of the public now have their chance to nominate policing and community heroes for a new award being launched by Chief Constable Mike Veale and Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger.</P> <P><BR>&nbsp;</P>

<P></P> <P>Cleveland Police seized £2,830,845 of drugs in 2018, including a cannabis farm of more than 700 plants in Hartlepool and one worth £680k in Stockton.</P>

<P>A drunken man who called police to say that his friend was too drunk to walk is among a number of inappropriate calls made to the police this year. </P>

<P>The mother of a missing man has issued a further appeal for information as she faces another Christmas without her son. </P>

<P>Over 700 children have been safeguarded by specialist officers working in the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) since it was launched by Cleveland Police five years ago. </P>

<P>Paramedics will be spending Friday night shifts with their police colleagues in an effort to provide immediate care to injured Cleveland residents and ease the pressure on both services.</P>

<P>The Police Arboretum Memorial Trust is asking the public to give a ‘Gift for Courage’ this Christmas.</P>

<P>Police in Middlesbrough have welcomed the support of local fuel stations as they build on a scheme tackling nuisance use of off road bikes and other vehicles.</P>

<P></P> <P>Cleveland Police colleagues will be facing danger this weekend – not to protect the public as normal – but instead to raise funds for workmates facing mental health difficulties.</P>

<P>On Saturday 8th December, Special Constables from Cleveland and North Yorkshire joined Forces for Operation Basingstoke to tackle road safety. </P>

<p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">More than 350 men failed a roadside breath test this year and fails by those aged 51-60 have doubled in the Cleveland area since 2016.<o:p></o:p></p>

<P>Roads policing officers in Cleveland are being given new mobile defibrillators to help save lives in emergency situations.</P>

<P>Local businesses have won their share of a one million pound contract to keep Cleveland Police’s emergency vehicles on the road.</P>

<P>Police have today launched a hard-hitting campaign to show the devastating effects of drink drug driving at this time of year.</P>

<P>Two officers have been praised for helping a baby who was choking in the back of a car on Tuesday afternoon (27th November).</P>

<P>Two officers who suffered injuries on duty whilst detaining a violent suspect have been commended. </P>

<P>Two women who threw themselves in harm’s way to help police stop a violent suspect have had their bravery recognised. </P>

<P>As part of Restorative Justice Week, Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger and Chief Constable Mike Veale have made a joint commitment to promote the benefits of restorative justice.</P>

<P>A fresh approach to diverting young people in Cleveland from crime and gangs has attracted key Home Office funding.</P>