Ray Mallon said criminals 'do not play by the Queensbury rules'

In a speech on Tuesday, Ray Mallon encouraged police officers and community wardens to kick down doors and root out the criminals.

But Cleveland Police Chief Constable Sean Price said the force would "not support any transgression of the law".

Mr Mallon, in response, said "criminals do not play by the Queensbury rules".

Mr Mallon earned the nick-name "Robocop" during his police career with the Cleveland force because of his zero-tolerance approach to crime and unruly behaviour.

His comments came as Conservative leader Michael Howard visited Middlesbrough on Tuesday to outline his party's strategy for law and order.

If officers had to go back to the office to consider every aspect of the human rights act before intervening there would be anarchy on the streets. Ray Mallon

Mr Price said on Wednesday that Mr Mallon's speech appeared to be causing concern over the use of force and the application of human rights.

He said: "In no way would we tacitly, implicitly, or marginally support any transgression of the law.

"The police are here to uphold the law. It would be a complete mockery of our system if officers were to break it."

Cleveland Police Authority Chairman Ted Cox added: "Observing human rights... is something which must apply to every police officer and, I would hope, every other agency involved in tackling crime.

"I realise it may not be popular in some quarters but it is essential that we stick to the law."

But Mr Mallon said in a statement in response: "Instead of falsely insinuating that officers have been encouraged to break the law, Mr Cox should be congratulating police and wardens for their sterling efforts in reducing crime in this town by 11%.

"Criminals do not play by the Queensbury rules, if they know you are coming they will flee or hide their stolen goods elsewhere.

"If officers had to go back to the office to consider every aspect of the Human Rights Act before intervening there would be anarchy on the streets."