AN INQUIRY into allegations of police corruption and malpractice within the force that piloted "zero tolerance" has discovered attempts to intimidate witnesses due to give evidence against officers. Supporters of the detectives under investigation, who include Detective Superintendent Ray Mallon, dubbed "Robocop" for his tough stance on lawlessness, are understood to have threatened police officers and members of the public prepared to testify in the inquiry. Forty-six police officers arefacing a variety of allegations involving corruption and malpractice, including accusations of offering drugs for information.The officers, most of whom are from Middlesbrough CID, face 397 complaints, including more than 240 allegations of criminal wrong-doing. Eight officers are currently suspended, including Mr Mallon, the former head of Middlesbrough CID.There is no suggestion that the accused officers have been involved in witness intimidation.The police inquiry, known as Operation Lancet, which is being headed by Andrew Timpson, the Chief Constable of Warwickshire, is understood to have uncovered evidence of witness intimidation.Police officers who have been prepared to testify to the inquiry are understood to have complained of being told they face a backlash by their colleagues if they speak out.Members of the public have also claimed they have been approached by serving police officers who have tried to intimidate them into withdrawing their co-operation. Among the tactics allegedly being used are police officers visiting witnesses' homes in an attempt to suggest they are informers and thereby risk the wrath of local criminals.A source said that there have been attempts to "turn witnesses" and intimidate them into withdrawing their evidence.A spokesman for the Police Complaints Authority, which is overseeing the investigation, would not discuss details, but he did concede: "There is evidence of attempts to undermine the inquiry."Operation Lancet is one of the biggest police corruption inquiries yet seen and has been running for more than a year.The Crown Prosecution Service is understood to have received files from the inquiry team relating to allegations of CID officers supplying heroin in return for information from informers. There were also allegations that officers had threatened and beaten suspects or potential informers to obtain information. Middlesbrough CID was in the forefront of adopting the US-style tactic of zero tolerance in which all offences, however minor, were punished.The CPS will now decide whether charges should be brought against any officers.The inquiry is also looking to allegations that Mr Mallon passed information to the press and "alleged activity which could be construed as criminal".In November Mr Mallon received an official warning after a second inquiry into whether he had been fiddling his expenses He was cleared of making illegal claims. His supporters believe the second investigation was a witch hunt by officers desperate to convict him.Last month Mr Mallon said: "I have acted honourably in the interests of the police and the public and I have acted legally.".

Parade hits the million mark A RECORD 1.2 million people took to the streets for London's New Year's Day parade. More than 10,000 performers joined the 13th annual event through the West End, which boasted floats from 12 boroughs and 6,500 cheerleaders and bandsmen from America.. Workers unpack 10in spider STAFF AT Sheffield's wholesale market unpacked a consignment of South American figs and nuts and found a spider with a 10in leg span. The goliath bird eater kills birds and snakes and is poisonous, but not fatal, for humans.

It was taken to a wildlife centre where it has been nicknamed Hairy Harry and is being fed pig hearts.. GOING BACK to college leads to a long and happy old age, according to a report published this week. Campaigners with the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (Niace) called for a huge expansion in courses for older people and said the stereotype of arts, crafts and holiday French for OAPs should be swept away. They said demand for courses would boom as the number of pensioners increased, and claimed that keeping people's minds fit and active would cut hospital and community care bills."Older people represent a wasted untapped resource which could be unleashed with more and better learning opportunities," said Jim Soulsby, author of the Niace report Older and Bolder."We would like to see a situation where the familiar retirement age of 60 or 65 is blurred so people have the opportunity to do work that they want, whatever their age."The report, part of a national campaign to encourage more people to sign up at college, is being launched at the same time as the Government announces a pounds 50m investment in careers and training advice for the over- 18s.At present careers centres deal mainly with teenagers leaving school or college. Ministers want to expand the advice available as part of Tony Blair's promise to bring an extra 500,000 people into college and university by 2002.The Niace report said that it was essential to increase the number and variety of courses available for the elderly as the number of people in older age groups increased. More training and education for the elderly would help them to stay independent, or even help them to go back into paid or voluntary work, the report said.Dotie Russell, 69, a retired civil servant, is setting up her own mail order fashion business after enrolling on a three-month women into business course near her home in Tidworth, Wiltshire.She won the national senior learner of the year award for her work.She said: "I was sitting around at home doing nothing."The first year of retirement is marvellous because you can do exactly what you want, but after a time you find you no longer have the same friends and there's nothing to aim for.

Going on the course was absolutely marvellous."Mr Soulsby said: "There will be a dramatic expansion in demand over the next five years, because the number of people aged 50-plus will increase and they will be better-educated and more demanding. Doing some sort of learning in later life is life-changing and creates opportunities for people."We always say `use it or lose it'. Physical activity helps keep you active, but mental activity is just as important."People say that getting involved in some activity gives them more feelings of self-worth and well-being. There are the beginnings of research from America and Australia to prove this.". PARTY HATS, cans, broken glass and plastic bottles by the thousand were swept from the streets of Edinburgh yesterday after the biggest New Year party in the world passed off without serious incident.