Durham Police target organised crime gangs
Raids have taken place across the region today in what police say is one of their biggest crackdowns in 20 years on organised crime gangs.
Former police officer jailed
A former North Yorkshire Police officer has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for possessing indecent images of children.
Murder suspect in court
A man charged with the murders of a Teesside pensioner and a woman from North Yorkshire has appeared in court.
Live updates
Appeal after Sunderland man attacked with metal bar
Police are appealing for a witness to get in touch with them after a man was attacked with a metal bar in Sunderland.
Officers were called to Brandling Street just after 6.30am on Saturday 2 March after a man who was visiting a house on the street was attacked inside by a man with a metal bar.
The attack is thought to have spilled out into the street where a cyclist intervened to stop the assault.
Police are keen to speak to the cyclist and are appealing for him to contact them on 101.
A 28-year-old man remains on police bail in connection with the assault.
Newcastle lecturer to be sentenced for "polite graffiti"
A Newcastle University professor will be sentenced for scratching polite graffiti on luxury cars and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Stephen Graham, who had been drinking, admitted attacking the cars - including a Mercedes and an Audi - when they were parked in Jesmond last year.
He used a screwdriver to scratch "very silly", "really wrong" and "arbitrary" onto cars, among other messages.
The 47-year-old, who works as an expert in cities and society, admitted four counts and asked for 23 similar offences to be taken into consideration when he appeared in court in January.
It was said he had no recollection of what happened on the night in August 2012 in Northumberland Gardens, a few streets from his home.
At a previous hearing he blamed a bad reaction to alcohol, antibiotics and prescription drugs for his behaviour.
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Man in serious condition after Newcastle assault
Police are appealing for information after a man was seriously assaulted in Newcastle.
Officers were called to The Gate around three o'clock this morning (Friday 1 March) and found a 24-year-old man with head injuries.
He was taken to hospital and remains in a serious condition.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident - three men aged 24, 23, and 19 and a 16-year-old teenage boy.
– Acting Detective Inspector Neil Wynd"The Gate is a busy location and there would have been people in the area who may have seen what happened and we want them to get in contact."
Anyone who has any information, or who may have witnessed the assault, is being asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
89-year-old fought off knife-wielding burglar
An 89-year-old man from South Tyneside is recovering after he fought off a man armed with a knife during a burglary.
Police are continuing to appeal for information after the South Shields burglary that happened around 8.30pm last night (Monday 25 February) at an address in Mortimer Road.
A man went into the house armed with a knife and threatened the 89-year-old man.
A struggle ensued between the two and the offender left empty-handed, making off along Mortimer Road and turning onto Morpeth Avenue.
The man is:
- White
- 6 ft tall
- Of slim and strong build
- Was wearing a black woollen had which had white lettering on the front
- Was wearing a greenish jacket with lettering on the left hand side, black trousers with yellow stripes, and a thick stripe with a narrow one either side.
- Was wearing black shoes.
– Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Sutton, Northumbria Police"The area is generally a safe place, however, understandably when an incident such as this happens it is very upsetting for the victim and the wider community and a number lines of enquiry are underway to find and trace the offender.
"Additional officers will be in the area and any concerned residents can speak to a local officer. We will continue to work with our partner agencies to address any community safety issues in the area."
Extra officers will be in the area both to carry out enquiries and to reassure residents.
Anyone with any information should contact Northumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Hunt continues for wanted York man
Police are renewing their appeal for the public's help to track down a man from York wanted for recall to prison
24-year-old Craig Mulgrew is wanted as he has breached the terms of his release licence and is believed to have committed further offences.
He is white, 5ft 8in tall, with a medium build and brown hair.
Mulgrew was sentenced to four years and nine months imprisonment at York Crown Court in July 2009, for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He was then released in June 2011.
Officers strongly believe that Mulgrew is in the York area and are appealing for anyone who may have seen him to contact police immediately.
Inspector Rob Thorpe, of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said:
”Craig, if you see or hear this appeal I want you to understand this very clear message, we are going to catch you and return you to custody. You are not going to stop this outcome and you are only making matters worse for yourself by delaying it.
“If you are shielding Mulgrew you are not helping him. In fact, you are only postponing the inevitable. Also, you may be committing offences by not coming forward. If this is the case rest assured we will arrest you.
“Officers have made numerous visits to addresses where we believe Mulgrew has connections. We will continue these visits until he is returned to custody.
If you can help to locate Mulgrew please contact the police or Crimestoppers straight away.”
Three arrested after armed Gateshead burglary
Police have arrested three men in connection with an armed burglary at a house in Gateshead.
Five men, armed with weapons, entered the house in Park Terrace on the evening of Sunday 24 February and assaulted a 23-year-old man.
The man suffered lacerations to his head and shoulder and was treated for his injuries - which are not believed to be life-threatening.
Police have since arrested three men - aged 26, 27 and 54 years-old - on suspicion of aggravated burglary.
Anyone with any information should contact Northumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Appeal after attempted burglary in Sunderland
Police are appealing for witnesses after an attempted burglary in Sunderland.
The attempted burglary happened between 4pm and 4.30pm on Friday 22 February at a house on Thelma Street in Sunderland, where a roofing slate was used to smash a window.
Nothing was taken from the house.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and have subsequently been released on police bail.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact officers in Sunderland on 101.
Man assaulted in Blyth
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted in Blyth shortly before eight o'clock on the evening of Sunday 24 February.
The 23-year-old man was struck with a glass in The Blake Arms in Seghill and went to hospital for treatment for a wound. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and later released on bail.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police appeal after 11,000 volt electricity cable cut
Cleveland Police and Northern Power Grid are appealing for information after an 11,000 volt underground electricity cable was cut during an attempted metal theft on Clarence Road, Port Clarence in Middlesbrough.
Police say the attempted theft took place on Tuesday afternoon. They believe those involved may have physical injuries such as burns as a result of cutting the cable. Anyone with information is being urged to contact Cleveland Police.
Prolific Newcastle shoplifter jailed
A man from Newcastle who routinely shoplifted at stores across the city has been jailed for more than six months.
31-year-old Michael Herbert Dabbs appeared at Newcastle Magistrates Court charged with theft.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 28 weeks in prison.
– Newcastle Neighbourhood Inspector Louise Cass-Williams"Dabbs is a prolific shop thief who caused a lot of problems for retailers and local businesses across Newcastle.
"This sentence should send a message out to shoplifters and thieves that if you get caught committing these types of crimes then you will be arrested and face going to prison.
"We have officers out patrolling high streets and shopping centres everyday in Newcastle and we work closely with shop and security staff to identify shoplifters and take action. Newcastle has a well deserved reputation as a safe place to visit, shop and spend time - we are determined to keep it that way."
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