A 76-year-old Hartlepool resident, known locally as the “Hartlepool Bird Man,” has been fined £2,176.13 for feeding wild birds in the town. Brian, who purchases 30 loaves of bread daily to ensure the birds are fed, was taken to court after the council accused him of contributing to a verminContinue Reading

Officers are appealing for the public’s help to locate a wanted man. Kevin Chapman, who is aged 40, is wanted in relation to an alleged assault. Chapman has links to the North Tyneside area but also to Middlesbrough in Teesside. Chapman is described as a white man, 5ft 10in tall,Continue Reading

A prolific offender who persistently targeted Tyneside taxi drivers has been jailed and banned from stepping foot inside several communities – following a multi-agency investigation involving police and partners. Tony Hall repeatedly carried out attacks on taxis and other vehicles in the Heaton, Jesmond, Fenham and West End areas ofContinue Reading

A new role is supporting NHS staff and patients to prevent fall injuries during hospital stays and reduce hospital re-admissions. 30-year-old D’Arcie Hall, from Billingham, was appointed falls educator at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust in February 2025. A brand new position in the trust, her role looksContinue Reading

An installation of 675 roof mounted photovoltaic solar panels has commenced at Middlesbrough’s Rainbow Leisure Centre. The panels are funded via a grant of £459,400 from the second phase of Sport England’s £60 million Swimming Pool Support Fund. Leisure Energy was appointed by the Council as Principal Designer and Principal ContractorContinue Reading

Two men who threatened a family in their North Tyneside home in an attempt to take money from them have been jailed. Craig Irving and Clark Morrison went to an address in the Forest Hall area on August 11 last year and gained entry to the property while wearing balaclavasContinue Reading

Striking new artworks are to be woven into the £21 million regeneration of Catterick town centre. Three artists have been commissioned to design a range of pieces – including a series of entrance markers to welcome visitors, and a sculpture to encourage a moment of reflection – for the developmentContinue Reading

A second person has sadly died following a serious collision in Sunderland, officers can today (Wednesday) confirm. At about 11.30am on Tuesday, March 24, police received a report of a two-vehicle collision on the A19 northbound near Nissan, close to the junction with the A1290. It involved a white MANContinue Reading

A brand-new launch pad membership designed to support early-stage businesses has been created by the North East Chamber of Commerce. Start Up and Grow is the latest addition to the Chamber’s enhanced membership offer, providing the tools, support and connections for incorporated start-ups in their first two years of business.Continue 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