Hexham's MP Guy Opperman has slammed Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, over the force's use of Community Resolution (CR) orders.
Mr Opperman has reacted angrily to figures which showed that Northumbria Police issued the orders, designed for low-level offences and anti-social behaviour, for serious crimes such as violence, sex crimes and robberies.
Information released through the BBC Shared Data Unit on Monday revealed that a total of 11,259 CRs were handed out by Northumbria Police between 2014 and 2018, equating to three per cent of the 428,707 offences reported.
Mr Opperman said he would be writing to police and crime commissioner to demand an explanation.
He said: "This is outrageous. I will be demanding that the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, explain why CROs have been used in this way, and what checks and guidance can urgently be put in place across the Northumbria Police force area to make sure CRs are used appropriately in the future."
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