Chief Constable Sean Price has welcomed an in-depth inspection

Last week it was revealed there was a �6.8m gap in finances, but that figure has been revised upwards.

Ken Walker, chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, said action was being taken to investigate the shortfall.

He has met Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to discuss the force's budget deficit.

On Wednesday, Cleveland Chief Constable Sean Price welcomed an in-depth inquiry of the force by the inspectorate.

Mr Walker said: "I am determined to ensure that we get to the bottom of the problems that we have got with the finances here at Cleveland Police.

"As chair of the police authority, it is certainly my responsibility to ensure the public money that is provided for the service is spent in the way it was intended."

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "Following an initial inquiry into the current financial affairs of the force, an individual has been suspended."