Police investigating a report of rape in Newcastle are appealing for potential witnesses. It was reported that shortly before 2am on Sunday, February 9, a man in his 20s had been raped near Pottery Lane. An investigation was immediately launched by detectives from Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department and the victimContinue Reading
Officers searching for a wanted man are appealing to the public to help locate him. Kenneth Joicey, 44, is wanted in connection with an assault. Extensive searches to locate him are ongoing across the region. Joicey has strong links to the Gateshead area, in particular Felling, Leam Lane, Wrekenton and theContinue Reading
Officers are appealing for the public’s help to locate a wanted man. Jack Hudson, who is aged 26, is wanted for breaching a community order and is understood to be actively evading arrest. Hudson has links to Gateshead, particularly the Beacon Lough area. Officers from Northumbria Police are today (Tuesday)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
People across North Yorkshire are being urged to play their part in helping prevent violent crime as a countywide rollout of knife bins gets underway. The bins are used to collect bladed items that might otherwise find their way into the wrong hands. The items can be deposited safely andContinue Reading
A paedophile who sexually abused two children and boasted online about his offending has been jailed. Ian Campbell threatened to share indecent photographs of one of his victims online if she did not follow his orders, and his abuse lasted over a two-year period. In March 2021, he unwittingly braggedContinue 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
Three people have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Robert Scott Clive. Robert Scott Clive, known as ‘Scott’, was last seen shortly after 11pm on October 10, 2002, in the Coronation Street area of North Shields. Scott, originally from Stranraer, was reported missing by concerned family members, andContinue 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
Police are appealing to the public for information after two men were seriously injured in a collision in Newcastle. Shortly before midnight yesterday (Wednesday), police received a report of a one-vehicle collision on Great North Road, Gosforth. It was reported that a grey Volkswagen Passat car was travelling northbound whenContinue Reading
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness joined basketball champions Newcastle Eagles, Britain’s most successful basketball team, to promote togetherness, unity and tackle racism in the North East. The Mayor teamed up with Newcastle Eagles stars Darius Defoe, Sauveur Kande, Kendall Currence and Tierra Hodges in a special workshop with pupils fromContinue 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
A Middlesbrough Councillor is appealing for donations to help orphans in some of the poorest parts of the world. Councillor Joan McTigue has joined forces with fellow councillors for similar appeals in the past and is urging local people to give generously in her latest campaign. The charitable drive wasContinue 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
Zakaria Chowdhury, 20, also known as Zak, was last seen on Friday, February 7, in the Newcastle city centre area at about 2am. Shortly before Zak was reported missing, he was sighted on CCTV in the Centre for Life area and in a premises on Neville Street. It is believedContinue 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 23-year-old loan shark who preyed on vulnerable customers, charging ‘crippling interest’ and threatening them when they couldn’t pay has today been given a suspended jail sentence. Hakeem Suleman, of Eastbourne Road, Middlesbrough, admitted illegal money lending and money laundering between October 2019 and May 2023, when he was arrestedContinue Reading
Eagle-eyed police have uncovered illegal vapes and tobacco products worth in the region of £20,000 from a Newcastle shop. Officers from Byker Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) visited the premises on Shields Road on an unrelated matter on Wednesday afternoon. While inside, they spotted illicit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes which haveContinue 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
A burglar has been jailed after he stole from residents at a care home in Gateshead. In October last year, police received reports of a suspected burglary at a premises in the area of Dryden Road in Low Fell. Following an investigation, Anthony Whitesmith – who had previously been employed as aContinue 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
The sensory room, which is part of the country park’s ongoing transformation and commitment to accessibility, is free to use 7 days a week with no pre-booking required. Inside the room is sensory equipment such as touch tag bean bags, tactile bubble mirrors, sensory puzzle play mats, interactive bubble fishContinue Reading
Officers have released footage of a man they’d like to trace as they continue to investigate a report of a firearm being discharged in a Newcastle street. At around 4.30am on Monday, December 16, officers received a report that a suspected firearm had been discharged at a property on BeaumontContinue Reading
Police are appealing for information to help locate a missing man from Newcastle. Twenty-year-old Zakaria Chowdhury, who also goes by Zak, was last seen at around 2.30am today (Friday) in Newcastle city centre. Officers and his family are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare – and are calling on anyoneContinue 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
Tributes have been paid this week following the death of a popular and long-serving former Middlesbrough Councillor at the age of 82. Geraldine Purvis represented the town’s Brambles & Thorntree ward between 2011 and 2023. During her time on the Council Geraldine served on a number of committees and scrutinyContinue 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
Nicky Francis, 48, a fitness manager at Middlesbrough’s Neptune Centre is taking on the national Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Breast Cancer Now. She will be joining an East Region team of colleagues and partner suppliers from award-winning operator Everyone Active – the company which manages leisure centres forContinue Reading
Residents are being encouraged to comment on the rules for walking dogs in the Filey, Scarborough and Whitby area to ensure everybody can enjoy a safe and clean environment. North Yorkshire Council has launched a public consultation today (Monday, February 3) on the existing Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) toContinue Reading
The North Shields 800 celebrations are launching in style with free events at the Exchange 1856 theatre. On the evenings of Friday January 31 and Saturday February 1, North Shields band Hector Gannet is playing free ticketed concerts at the venue, with more than 800 people expected to attend. The tickets soldContinue Reading
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has kickstarted a plan to tackle child poverty across the region and support families. The Mayor met with community leaders, charities, businesses and teachers in Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland and took part in a story time reading session with local pupils as she saw first hand work underway to helpContinue Reading
A travelling library which serves rural communities across North Yorkshire is adding another stop to its busy schedule. Residents in Fairburn, near Sherburn in Elmet, can now access the county’s vast library collection on their doorstep when the touring vehicle makes its monthly stop. North Yorkshire Council’s supermobile library carriesContinue Reading
Newcastle New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cancelled Due to Severe Weather We know many were looking forward to celebrating New Year’s Eve on the Quayside with our spectacular fireworks displays, but due to strong gusty winds and a yellow weather warning issued by the Met Office, we’ve had to take theContinue Reading
Teesside councils are pledging to intensify efforts against negligent landlords after concerns emerged over the low number of prosecutions for housing safety breaches in recent years. Data obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests by Public Interest Lawyers revealed that between 2019/20 and 2023/24, only one landlord was prosecuted inContinue Reading
Winter clothes, a hot meal and a warm welcome were on offer for those in need at a special event in Middlesbrough. In Out of the Cold is held every year at Middlesbrough Town Hall in the run up to Christmas, aiming to raise awareness and provide advice and support.Continue Reading
A problem property at the centre of drug dealing and other crime on a Middlesbrough estate has been shut down. The bad behaviour associated with the home on Dunsley Close has caused misery for those living in Berwick Hills in recent months. But after hard work from the Council’s EastContinue Reading
Two alleyway dumpers who fly-tipped in central Middlesbrough have been hit with court fines. Furniture was dumped in separate cases at Portman Street and Wicklow Street, investigations by Middlesbrough Council’s Environmental Neighbourhood Safety Team found. After a report that mattresses and other furniture had been left in an alleyway atContinue Reading
A 31-year-old Middlesbrough man, identified as Mr. X, has been left without essential care for over eight weeks after a sudden decision by Middlesbrough Social Services to halt his support. The decision, which came without prior notice, has left Mr. X—who suffers from multiple chronic health issues—in a vulnerable andContinue Reading
A nine-year-old boy who captured hearts online for his incredible fundraising efforts has concluded his charitable journey in style—organizing a charity football match against Newcastle United YouTubers. Wilf, who has raised over £20,000 for causes such as the West End Foodbank, The Alan Shearer Foundation, and Dementia Matters over theContinue Reading
Authorities are urging the public to avoid using “dodgy” Fire TV sticks as a major crackdown on illegal streaming continues across the UK. FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft), in collaboration with police forces, has issued cease-and-desist orders to 30 suppliers of illicit streaming devices, threatening legal action if these activitiesContinue Reading
Julie Richardson, a bus driver for Go North East, is delighting passengers by dressing as a different festive character every day throughout December. Operating out of the Percy Main depot in North Shields, Julie has so far transformed into the Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, and a Christmas nutcracker, among others.Continue Reading
CCTV is to be installed at a row of shops after council wardens were “attacked by thugs wielding sticks”. The incident took place earlier in the year when staff visited Spencer Beck shops, off Allendale Road, in Ormesby near Middlesbrough. Conservative Curt Pugh, who sits on Redcar and Cleveland BoroughContinue Reading
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published its latest quarterly list of individuals and businesses penalized for failing to comply with tax obligations or for deliberately filing inaccurate tax returns. The details are made public when a person or business has deliberately defaulted on more than £25,000 in taxes. TheContinue Reading
Officers have released images of a man they would like to identify after they received a report that counterfeit bank notes were used at a shop in Newcastle city centre. Police received a report that just after 2.30pm on Friday, November 22, a man entered CEX Entertainment on Northumberland Street.Continue Reading
Work to prop up part of a dangerous flyover has begun, a council has confirmed. Gateshead Highway closed suddenly on 13 December after investigations judged the 1960s structure to be dangerous. Metro services between Monument and Heworth, which run in tunnels under the flyover, were also suspended and replaced byContinue 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
Officers are appealing to the public for their help to locate a missing South Tyneside man. Mark Forshaw, aged 36, was last seen in the North Road area of Boldon Colliery between 7.30am and 8am on Monday (December 23). However, Mark has not been heard from since – as officersContinue Reading
Officers searching for a wanted man are appealing to the public to help locate him. Wayne Fenwick, 25, is wanted on a prison recall and is understood to be actively evading arrest. Extensive searches to locate him have been ongoing across the region. Fenwick has links across the Northumbria area –Continue Reading
Officers are appealing for the public’s help to locate a missing North Tyneside woman. Chelsea Beavers, 25, from the North Shields area, was last seen at about 2.30pm on Saturday. Police and Chelsea’s family are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare. Chelsea is described as white, 5ft 6in tall of slim build with longContinue Reading
A man who left a family traumatised after a fake kidnapping report led to armed police raiding their home as they ate dinner has been jailed. Ricki Kendall, 30, called 999 to say he had seen a man being bundled into a house at knifepoint in Newcastle last December, theContinue Reading
The Tyne and Wear Metro’s brand-new trains have officially hit the tracks—and the first passengers to board were left in awe, calling the experience “absolutely amazing.” Excitement reached a fever pitch on Wednesday morning as the £362 million fleet of state-of-the-art Stadler-built carriages made its highly anticipated debut. Word spreadContinue Reading
A special Letters to Heaven post box has been installed at the Stockton-on-Tees Crematorium to allow grieving relatives to send letters to loved ones who are no longer with us. Bereaved family and friends can post cards, letters and other messages into the white and gold memorial post box, andContinue Reading
