NHS apprentice scheme expanded on Tyneside
An NHS trust is recruiting hundreds of young people on Tyneside. It's one of the biggest ever intakes of apprentices.
GDP, growth and why it matters to us
As the economy emerges from recession, how long will it be before we start to feel the benefit?
Tyne Tunnels win major civil engineering award
The New Tyne Crossing, consisting of the two tunnels which link North and South Tyneside, has taken a top civil engineering award.
Live updates
Taxis targeted by thieves
Taxi drivers are being urged to remove takings from their vehicles when they leave them unattended following a number of thefts in recent months.
Police on Tyneside say thieves are targeting taxis in the hope drivers have left takings, sat navs and other valuables inside.
Man charged over stabbing in South Shields
A third person has appeared in court, charged with the murder of a man in South Shields.
25-year-old David Charlton was stabbed to death, on his way home from a night out in December.
31 year old Paul Carr from Hudson Street appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates this morning.
He was remanded in custody, to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on March the 1st.
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Full Report: Lost dogs left in kennels
Many lost dogs aren't being picked up from kennels by their owners because of the fees they have to pay - that's the claim of one kennel manager on Tyneside.
It can cost at least £35 before you can collect your dog.
You can watch the full report from Derek Proud below.
ROAD: A690, Houghton-le-Spring
Hazardous driving conditions due to ice on A690 Houghton Cut between A182 Hillside Way / B1404 Lake Road and B1284
Operation Vegas seizes huge amounts of drugs
In total 1.5kg of cocaine, 10.5kg of amphetamine and 10,100 BZP tablets were seized during Operation Vegas.
£150,000 worth of cash seized in Operation Vegas
During the operation around £150,000 in cash was recovered from various addresses across the North East.
Two motor boats and two caravans were also seized along with nine motor vehicles.
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Drugs operation puts eight behind bars
Eight men have been sentenced to almost 40 years in jail as part of a huge drugs operation on Tyneside.
Operation Vegas, launched in March of last year by Northumbria Police, focused around the behaviour of Robert Eric Blackburn.
Intelligence on Blackburn led officers to believe that he was heavily involved in the large scale dealing of illegal drugs across the force area and further afield.
In August of last year, the intelligence gathered meant that he could be arrested and charged with conspiracy to supply drugs.
During the operation Blackburn was seen to work alongside a number of other individuals in his dealings.
Nine other men were arrested along with Blackburn for being involved in drug dealing.
– Detective Sergeant Dave Hamill, Northumbria Police Serious and Organised Crime Unit,"We welcome the sentences handed out to these men - it means a number of dangerous individuals involved in the dealing and distribution of large amounts of drugs are off the street for a considerable amount of time.
Vegas was a meticulously planned and executed operation that involved skilled officers carrying out detailed investigation of a number of targets.
While focusing on Blackburn we were able to uncover a web of contacts that he was working with to sell and distribute drugs.
We were able to make a number of arrests and seize drugs, as well as money made through drug dealing. "
Eight sentenced after mass drugs operation on Tyneside
Eight men have been sentenced to almost 40 years in jail as part of a huge drugs operation on Tyneside.
The operation, named Operation Vegas, was launched in March 2012 by Northumbria Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit, to target and disrupt those involved in the supply of drugs in the Tyneside area.
Robert Eric Blackburn, 64, of Hallow Drive, Throckley, was jailed for 11 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply BZP.
David John French, 58, of Ulswater Crescent, Winlaton, was jailed for seven years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply BZP.
Alan Atkinson, 44, of Hallow Drive, Throckley, was jailed for six years for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Alan Bullock, 49, of Tindles Caravan Park, Longframlington, was jailed for six years for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Alan James Bell, 33, of Falstone Avenue / Centurion Road, Denton, was jailed for two years for entering into a money laundering arrangement.
James Bell, 29, of Linbridge Drive, West Denton, was jailed for two years for conspiring to transfer criminal property.
Robert William Cann, 35 of Kendrick Street, Stoke-on-Trent, was jailed for two years for conspiracy to supply amphetamine.
Brian William Carrier 37, of Harehills Tower, Kenton, was sentenced to three years and eight months for conspiracy to supply amphetamine.
Charity struggles despite generosity
by Richard WilsonTeenager arrested in connection with Tyneside rape
Police investigating the rape of a 15 year old girl in Newcastle have arrested a 19 year old man in connection with the attack.
The girl was threatened with a knife and assaulted on waste ground in Elswick on Tyneside on December 18th.
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