PCC to fund video doorbells to stalking victims to increase their safety and help capture evidence Victims of domestic stalking and harassment across County Durham and Darlington are set to receive free video doorbells to boost their safety as part of a £10k scheme funded by Police and Crime CommissionerContinue Reading
When selecting a GP practice, the quality of care is crucial. Thankfully, Darlington is home to several well-rated surgeries offering top-notch services to its residents. Using information provided by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), here are the compiled list of the top 10 GP surgeries in the area. While mostContinue Reading
PCC welcomes Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove and other criminal justice experts at second Victims’ Conference Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen hosted a high-profile conference drawing together leading UK justice experts including Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove to help improve outcomes for victims of crime. The County Durham and Darlington PCCContinue Reading
Heading to Bishop Auckland Food Festival this weekend? Organisers have announced travel arrangements for getting to the event. Bishop Auckland Food Festival returns to the town centre on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April, for two days of fun, food and family entertainment. With over 150 stalls, festivalgoers will beContinue Reading
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen’s new Police, Crime and Justice Plan, setting out ambitious action to make County Durham and Darlington safer, stronger and more resilient to drug and alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour will be implemented from 1 April. The County Durham and Darlington PCC has consideredContinue Reading
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has praised officers for their relentless commitment to making the county safer as new figures revealed significant reductions in neighbourhood crime and serious violence. In a snapshot performance update covering October to December 2024, the County Durham and Darlington PCC reported sweeping improvements againstContinue Reading
Officers are urging the public to remain vigilant after three suspected parcel fraudsters have been arrested across the region after victims lose almost £20k. On Friday (March 28), officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) arrested a 23-year-old man in Newcastle believed to be linked to postalContinue Reading
The medals awarded to the eldest of four North East brothers who all fought with valour in the First World War are now back in his home county. The Trustees of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) bought Colonel Sir Thomas Bradford’s medals at auction, including a Distinguished Service Order. Today,Continue Reading
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has welcomed the launch of a national pilot placing domestic abuse specialists in the 999 control rooms of five police forces. ‘Raneem’s Law’ follows the murders of Raneem Oudeh, 22, and her mother Khaola Saleem, and sees specialists joining the control rooms of theContinue Reading
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen today reiterated her calls for urgent national intervention to tackle a broken justice system that is causing serious and profound additional trauma to victims of crime. The County Durham and Darlington PCC has responded to a new report from Baroness Newlove, Victims’ Commissioner forContinue Reading
A North East council has selected nationwide placemaker, Muse, as its joint venture partner to deliver the first phase of a new innovation district. The first phase comprises the Durham County Council-owned Aykley Heads site, which is currently home to the authority’s County Hall headquarters. The 15-hectare site already hasContinue Reading
A key milestone has been reached in one of the UK’s first large-scale mine water heat projects, with work now underway. Durham County Council is working with a number of organisations to deliver the project, which will ultimately see mine water used to heat homes on a new sustainable community,Continue Reading
The scale of change taking place at Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum and Art Gallery is now clearly visible, following the construction of a large steel frame on the site. The new structure will form an extension to the Durham city venue, almost doubling its original size. Work to redevelopContinue Reading
A large-scale clean-up operation has been launched to enhance County Durham’s communities. Durham County Council has allocated an additional £150,000 to its Clean and Green team to carry out a clean-up operation across the county. The team used the money to take on eight additional staff as well as purchaseContinue Reading
The owner of a Chinese takeaway has been ordered to pay out more than £4,000 following the discovery of a fly-infestation and unhygienic conditions on the business premises. Environmental health officers from Durham County Council carried out an unannounced inspection at Hello 7 in Framwellgate Moor, near Durham City, afterContinue Reading
On 5 February, our Public Safety and Subsidence team was made aware of the collapse in a farmer’s field and over a public bridleway in the Bishop Auckland area. The collapse, measuring 7 metres in diameter and up to 50 metres deep, was quickly secured and planning work to fillContinue Reading
A man has credited a County Durham homelessness service with transforming his life after his mental health issues escalated. Michael Dunn had reached crisis point when he was introduced to the team at the Safe Night Hub, a new countywide service providing food, warmth and support to rough sleepers everyContinue Reading
A County Durham man has been left more than £1,500 worse off and with a criminal conviction after failing to assist a flytipping investigation. Byron Cant-Raine was successfully prosecuted by Durham County Council after failing to attend an interview in relation to a flytip at Brancepeth. Ian Hoult, the council’sContinue Reading
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen is inviting residents to get involved in her scrutiny meeting focused on trust and confidence in policing. Trust and confidence in policing has declined over recent years, with a recent survey showing that nationally, over half of the adult population has little confidence inContinue Reading
Volunteers who help to keep County Durham’s coastline clean will continue to be supported thanks to council funding. Durham County Council works alongside other local authorities, and organisations such as The National Trust, Durham Wildlife Trust, Groundwork and Northumbrian Water, as part of the Heritage Coast Partnership. The partnership aimsContinue Reading
The potential for thousands of new jobs in County Durham has moved a step closer, after senior councillors agreed to progress to the next stage in a development plan. Durham County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to take the next step in its procurement process, in its plans to develop landContinue Reading
Drivers passing through Durham are being warned of enforcement coming into place at a key junction. From Monday 17 February, Durham County Council will be introducing an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera at the yellow box junction at Neville’s Cross. The Highway Code states that drivers must not enterContinue Reading
A County Durham primary school has been recognised for its work to bring the world into the classroom. Wingate Primary School has been awarded the prestigious International School Award by the British Council. The award celebrates the achievements of schools that bring an international dimension into their curriculum, enabling youngContinue Reading
Nine arrested and five charged as part of partnership strikes across the country concerning organised drug supply. Under Operation Sentinel, yesterday (Wednesday), officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), National Crime Agency (NCA) and Durham Constabulary, with the support of Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime UnitContinue Reading
A Sunday Brunch host, social media baker, and a MasterChef champion are among the celebrity chefs who will appear at this year’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival. The popular Durham County Council-run festival will return to Bishop Auckland on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April, for a weekend of sizzling streetContinue Reading
A warrant has been executed at a pub in Darlington to disrupt suspected drug supply and disorder. Under Operation Arizona, Darlington neighbourhood team and licensing officers along with support from the dog unit and colleagues from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service swooped in on The Old DunContinue Reading
Schoolchildren in County Durham have shown off their new £40m state-of-the-art learning environment to council leaders. Children at Belmont Community School and Belmont Church of England Primary School welcomed Cabinet members from Durham County Council for the official opening of their modern new shared campus – which has been funded byContinue Reading
A Durham City shop that sold vapes to children on multiple occasions, including a 15-year-old, has been ordered to close for three months. Phone Gadget, on Silver Street, has been told by a court to close its doors following a successful application by Durham County Council, which was acting inContinue Reading
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen’s plans to boost policing and deliver the improvements local people have asked for have been fully approved. The County Durham and Darlington PCC, who has promised to keep residents and businesses at the heart of her safety plans, presented her budget for policing inContinue Reading
Courts across the region have sentenced individuals for heinous crimes, ranging from murder and sexual assault to burglary and domestic violence. Here is a summary of the cases that saw justice served this month: Army Veteran’s Jealous Rage Leads to Prison Army veteran Steven Files, 36, has been sentenced toContinue Reading
The met office have issued a yellow warning for strong winds from 07:00 until 23:00 Tuesday (New Year’s Eve) for the following areas: Strong westerly winds may lead to some travel disruption on New Year’s Eve. Strong and gusty southwesterly winds will develop across southern Scotland and northeast England onContinue Reading
Tributes have been paid to a cyclist who died in a crash two days before Christmas. Anthony Brian Milburn died in the collision with a BMW on the A688 close to Binchester Services, near Bishop Auckland in County Durham. The 34-year-old dad was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital inContinue Reading
Alasdair MacConachie OBE, a revered philanthropist, business leader, and dedicated community campaigner, passed away on Christmas Day at Darlington Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. He was 78. Mr. MacConachie’s impact on Darlington and beyond is immeasurable. As the driving force behind Sherwoods Motor Group, he built a thriving businessContinue Reading
A campaign group says a railway line’s new timetable is “bad” for north-east England. South East Northumberland Rail User Group (SENRUG) understands the changes to the East Coast Main Line, external, due to come into operation in December 2025, mean Morpeth will lose three LNER northbound and two southbound services, as wellContinue Reading
Three taxi marshals have been removed from duty after a passenger was reportedly pressured into giving them a tip. Darlington Borough Council was told a person was not allowed to get into a taxi without tipping a marshal over the weekend. It said the marshals had been pulled from dutyContinue Reading
The cost of in-home care has become a contentious issue in the North East, with residents in Middlesbrough and Darlington facing vastly different financial demands for similar services. The disparity has raised questions about fairness and the financial pressures placed on vulnerable individuals. In Middlesbrough, a 23-year-old receiving essential in-homeContinue Reading
Pet owners are being urged to be careful over Christmas after a kitten was left fighting for his life when he ate netting from a roast beef. Bear was just six months old when he helped himself to leftovers at owner Joshua Simpson’s home in Darlington last Boxing Day. HeContinue Reading
The collision occurred at 07:40 GMT on Monday on the A688 at Binchester Blocks, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and involved a BMW 5 Series car. The cyclist, a man in his 30s, was airlifted to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital but died later, Durham Police said. The road wasContinue Reading
An eight-year-old boy who lives with a disability has been praised for saving the life of his dad who had slipped into a diabetic coma. Durham Police said Tyler gave the 999 call handler “vital information”, while also keeping his four-year-old sister calm, after dad Jamie Miller became seriously illContinue Reading
The A1M in North Yorkshire/County Durham is closed in both directions between J57 (Stapleton) and J58 (Darlington) due to a collision involving two vehicles. Emergency services are on scene. National Highways Traffic Officers are also in attendance assisting with traffic management. Collision investigation will be taking place so the roadContinue Reading
A landlord has been forced to pay more than £25,000 for failing to get licences for six of his homes. Kamran Adil’s properties in Blackhall Colliery, near Peterlee in County Durham, had problems including electrical hazards and structural concerns. Durham County Council uses selective licences to regulate landlords and ensureContinue Reading
A three-year-old girl who had a life-saving organ transplant will appear on the Christmas special of Casualty to highlight the importance of donation. Beatrix, from Burnopfield in County Durham, spent more than a year in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle waiting for a new heart. She had her transplant inContinue Reading
Kearney FM’s Managing Director, Aaron Kearney, is set to launch his brand-new podcast, The Daily Dose of Aaron, on 31st December 2024. The podcast promises to cover “everything and anything,” offering listeners engaging conversations, insightful stories, and plenty of surprises. New episodes will be released every Wednesday and Sunday atContinue Reading
Image (C) Durham Police A man who stabbed his ex-partner more than 30 times after she told him she didn’t want to be with him anymore has been jailed for 17 years. Andrew Fowler stabbed his former partner, Anastasia Wade, around 35 times on her arms, back and neck whileContinue Reading
Mason Longstaff from the Newton Aycliffe and Bishop Auckland area who was a volunteer with local charity Angel Trust has been convicted. He has been convicted with 18 months suspended sentence and had to sign a SHPO for 10 years. Angel Trust in a statement has said: Recently, social mediaContinue Reading
Arriva North East will implement fare changes starting January 1, 2025. In response to customer and stakeholder feedback regarding the complexity of the single fare structure, most single fares in the region will now be set at £1.60 or £1.70 for short trips, £2.30 for slightly longer journeys, and cappedContinue Reading
A new campaign is underway to ramp up efforts to prevent burglary and car crime over the winter months thanks to funding from Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen. The County Durham and Darlington PCC has invested £18k into Durham Constabulary’s Winter Nights 2024 operation. The initiative, which runs until January 2025,Continue Reading
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has expressed her shock that young drivers can still purchase illegal and unroadworthy vehicles without compulsory checks following another tragic death. The County Durham and Darlington PCC met Karen and John Rowlands, from Durham, earlier this week to discuss the tragic death of theirContinue Reading
(C) Durham Police A Durham woman whose infant son drowned unsupervised in the bath while she played a video game on her mobile phone has been jailed for seven years today after pleading guilty to gross negligence manslaughter at Teesside Crown Court. Danielle Massey, 31, of West Chilton Terrace, Ferryhill,Continue Reading
Officers were called to The Black Swan pub in Parkgate, Darlington, on Monday evening (December 16) after reports of a man being locked inside the venue. Upon arrival, police discovered that a window had been smashed using a bar stool, and the man who was reportedly trapped was no longerContinue Reading
It is with great sadness that East Durham Veterans Trust announces the passing of Dominic on the 4th of December, after bravely battling brain cancer. Dominic was a beloved member of the community, cherished by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Dominic’s funeral will take place on Wednesday,Continue Reading
Today (17 December 2024) the Government has announced that it intends to provide just over £1m to be directed into Neighbourhood Policing across County Durham and Darlington. This is part of the overall funding allocation for Durham Constabulary in the next financial year (2025-2026). Police and Crime Commissioner for theContinue Reading
Twenty handheld radios have been funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on a local business park. The County Durham and Darlington PCC provided a grant worth just over £9k for the devices, which will help businesses on Aycliffe Business Park inContinue Reading
Bus fares across large parts of the region will be capped at £2.50 from January. The cost of a single journey on a bus in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham will be capped at 50p cheaper than the national rate, when the fare cap for adults jumps fromContinue Reading
A new online tool has been launched in partnership with Durham Constabulary, Livin and Durham County Council to help victims of anti-social behaviour in Aycliffe access support to resolve the issue. The web resource has been developed by Aycliffe IT firm Optimum Skills and provides everything residents and businesses inContinue Reading
