Hartlepool officers set up a stall in the town's Middleton Grange Shopping Centre in a bid to reach out to the town's deaf community.

They offered free advice on crime prevention and community policing initiatives such as the Ringmaster scheme, which sees residents sign up to an alert system so they know what crime is happening in their area.

Representatives from Cleveland Fire Brigade were also on hand to offer advice on fire safety, free inspections to make sure buildings are safe and free installation of fire alarms.

Acting Sergeant Wayne Marram said: "It went very well and we got a good number of participants.

"We had great support from deaf agencies in the town and the fire brigade. "Overall it was very successful and something we will hopefully do again."

Three signers were on hand to help with communication.

The Hartlepool event was part of a Teesside-wide initiative by Cleveland Police that coincided with Deaf Awareness Week.