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Police are reminding motorists to keep their vehicles locked and to remove all valuables when they park. The advice comes after thieves got into an unlocked car parked on a driveway in The Wynding in Bedlington. It happened overnight, between 9pm on Monday, 19 and 7.30am, on Tuesday 20, December. Thieves searched the car and opened Christmas cards looking for cash. They made off empty handed. Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 188 of 20/12/16 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident of criminal damage in Bedlington. It happened at an address in Victoria Terrace in the Northumberland town at 6.31am on Friday, December 2. An offender threw a brick at the window of the downstairs living room, causing it to smash, before making off unseen. Police are appealing for anyone with information to call police on 101, quoting reference number 112284N/16 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police investigating an incident in which a police officer was injured in a collision in Blyth, have charged a man. The incident happened around 10.20pm on Sunday, October 16, on Bridge Street. A 21-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, assaulting a police constable, no insurance and failing to stop after an accident. He is due to appear before Bedlington Magistrates Court on November 3. (Initial information 17/10/16 at 11.04am) Police officer injured in collision Police are appealing for witnesses after a police officer in Blyth was injured after being in a collision with a car. It happened around 10.20pm on Sunday, October 16, the officer was on foot on Bridge Street in Blyth when he was involved in a collision with a black Ford Focus. The male officer has not suffered any serious injuries but was taken to hospital by paramedics for treatment to a leg injury and later released. The Ford Focus did not stop following the accident and a short time later a 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and is currently detained in custody. Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference number 1146 of 16/10/16.

A Northumberland man has been charged with rape. Munawar Hussain, who is 40 and from Ashington has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration. The charges are in relation to an incident that happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning in the North Seaton area. He will appear at Bedlington Magistrates Court court on June 23. View the full news release

Police are appealing for witnesses following a theft of lead in Northumberland. It happened at Big Mamas on Palace Road in Bedlington Station between 00.00hours, the early hours of Thursday, June 2, and 1.55pm on Wednesday, June 8. Offenders damaged roof tiles and stole a quantity of lead from the roof of the premises. This was discovered when the roof began leaking after it rained, causing considerable damage to the premises. Police are appealing for witnesses, anyone who was in the area and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious is asked to contact police, also anyone who may be offered the lead for sale is asked to speak to officers. Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting reference number 572 0806/16 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. View the full news release

Police are appealing for information after a taxi driver was assaulted in Bedlington. Around 1am on Sunday, April 17, a man assaulted a taxi driver at the BP garage in Station Road. The taxi driver had picked the man and woman up from the Bigg Market area in Newcastle and taken them to Bedlington. They stopped at the BP garage for the couple to use the cash point however when there the man pushed the taxi driver before making a number of racist comments aimed towards him. The couple then walked off towards Waverley Court. Anyone with any information into the incident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 85 17/04/16. View the full news release

Police are appealing for witnesses after a one vehicle fatal collision in Ashington. At around 7.25pm on Wednesday, April 13, a blue Vauxhall Corsa came off the road on the A196 near South Farm, Choppington. Emergency Services attended and a 17-year-old man who was a passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene. Two men aged 17 were taken to hospital for treatment. Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening. The driver of the car, an 18-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody. A section of the A196 was closed for several hours to allow for collision investigation to take place. Enquiries are on-going into the incident and officers want to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the collision and who saw what happened to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 901 13/04/16. We are not in a position to name the man who died in the collision at this time. View the full news release

Police investigating an arson in Bedlington are releasing CCTV footage of the incident. It happened between 11.50pm on Thursday, March 17 and 12.10am on Friday, March 18 when two cars parked on Knox Road were set alight. Enquiries are ongoing and police are releasing CCTV footage of a man they want to identify and speak to about the incident. Neighbourhood Inspector, Trevor Oakley, said: "Fires of this type can be very dangerous and it is fortunate that no one was injured, particularity residents living near to the parked cars. "We recognise that this will have caused concern for people and we want to reassure residents that we will not tolerate this type of crime. "We are appealing for help from the community and anyone who may have spotted suspicious activity around the time of the fire should contact us to help find the person responsible. "Anyone who believes they may have information to assist with the investigation should contact police straight away." Anyone who recognises the man is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 20 18/03/16 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. View the full news release

Police are appealing for information following two incidents of indecent exposure and an outraging public decency offence in Bedlington and Cramlington. The first happened at around 6.20pm on Monday, March 21, when a man exposed himself to two 11-year-old girls in Front Street East, Bedlington. He is described as being aged 40-50 years-old, of large build with short, balding hair and wearing a navy tracksuit. The second incident happened at 12.15pm on Tuesday, March 22, when a man was seen to perform a sex act on himself in Gallager Park, Bedlington. He is described as being white, aged late twenties to early thirties and was wearing a light coloured baseball cap with light coloured top and bottoms. The third happened in Cramlington at 4.35pm on Wednesday, March 23, when a man exposed himself to two teenage girls in Seven Oaks Park, Dudley Lane. He is described as a white man aged around 50-years-old and between 5ft 6 - 5ft 8 inches tall. He had a large build, bald and was wearing a royal blue hoody with grey bottoms. Enquiries into all three incidents are ongoing and anyone with information to help is asked to contact police. Extra officers are in the area carrying out patrols and speaking with people to offer reassurance. Anyone with information to help is asked to contact police on 101 quoting references 1064 21/03/16 / 0470 22/03/16 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. View the full news release

Police are appealing for witnesses after a hit and run collision in Northumberland. It happened at 10.50am this morning, (Monday, February 8) when a blue Nissan Micra was hit by a black car on the A189 Southbound between Bedlington and the Blyth turn off causing substantial damage. The driver of the black car failed to stop and left the scene. Enquiries are ongoing to locate and speak to the driver and anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference number 331 08/02/16.

Police are appealing for information after a collision in Northumberland. It happened at 8.35am on Wednesday, February 3, when a silver Renault Clio collided with a child pedestrian in Front Street West, Bedlington. Officers attended and the child, a 4-year-old girl, was taken to hospital where she received treatment for minor facial injuries. It is believed the child had been walking with a dog who had ran into the road at the time of the collision. The driver of the Clio is being spoken to by officers and police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to contact them. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or have any information to help is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 0164 03/02/16.

Police are appealing for information after a taxi driver was robbed in Northumberland. The incident happened at 12.30am this morning, (Wednesday, January 28), in Jubilee Terrace, Bedlington. A taxi driver in a black Ford Torneo had four male passengers, who he had collected from Pioneer Terrace, Bedlington. They drove to Jubilee Terrace where the robbery took place. The taxi driver was threatened and assaulted before the men made off with cash. The driver was taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Two 19-year-old men along with a further two men aged 18 and 17 have been arrested and remain in police custody. Detectives are carrying out enquiries into the incident and asking any witnesses or anyone with information to contact police. Anyone with information to help is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 18 03/02/16 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Morpeth Neighbourhood Policing Team has welcomed a new member. PC Andrew Brown joins Morpeth Neighbourhood Policing Team to become the dedicated officer for Morpeth Town Centre and the surrounding estates, taking over from PC Lee Taylor who has retired after 30 years’ service with Northumbria Police. Andrew will be supported in his new appointment by Community Support Office (CSO) Paul Moorhead. Andrew has over 15 years’ service with Northumbria; he transfers to Morpeth from Bedlington and has previous experience as a Neighbourhood Officer in Newcastle’s West End. PC Andrea Taylor will remain the dedicated neighbourhood Officer for Stobhill estates, Pegswood and Longhirst, supported by CSO Simon Beavers. PC Andrea Teasdale will remain the dedicated Neighbourhood Officer for rural Morpeth villages including Hepscott, Stannington, Mitford, Hartburn, Scots Gap, Cambo, Netherwitton, Stanton and Longhorsley; supported by CSO Holly Went PC Paul Dent will remain the dedicated Neighbourhood Officer for Ulgham, Cresswell, Widdrington, Red Row, Hadston, Broomhill, Acklington, West Thirston and Eshott; CSO Susan McCallum. The Morpeth Neighbourhood Policing Team can be contacted on 101 ext 69191, or via the force website at www.northumbria.police.uk. In an emergency please dial 999.

Police are appealing for information after a cafe in Bedlington was burgled. Between 4pm Thursday, December 17, and 7am Friday, December 18, burglars broke into the Tasty Bite cafe in Ravensworth Terrace. They broke in through the back door of the premises and stole cash and two charity boxes from inside the shop. Enquiries are ongoing into the burglary and anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 191 18/12/15.

Three regional Forces are joining together to raise awareness of the dangers of knife-related crime and ensure we all stay safe. Northumbria, Cleveland, and Durham Police are working with the ‘Surrender a knife’ organisation to encourage the surrender of knives which may otherwise be used in crime throughout the next two weeks. The British Ironwork Centre is also supporting the campaign by providing secure knife bins across the country which can be used by anyone to deposit knives or other bladed/pointed weapons. Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said: "While we are fortunate that we don't have the same knife problem here in Northumbria as in some areas of the country; one knife carried is one knife too many. "That's why we're coming together as a region to support this national campaign and demonstrate our commitment to public safety. "In the wrong hands a knife can be a deadly weapon and this initiative will let people who want to dispose of a knife do so safely. "It's great to be joining up with my fellow commissioners to take a proactive approach to keep knives off our streets and our region safe." Detective Chief Inspector Helena Barron understands there isn't a knife crime culture or issue within Northumbria but believes raising awareness is critical to keeping knife crime to a minimum. DCI Barron said: "We continue to use a combination of education, prevention and enforcement to ensure that knife crime in the force remains low. "As well as taking tough enforcement action we're carrying out reassurance work in the community. We will continue to visit schools, retailers and other partners to educate people about knife crime and, over the next few weeks, we will be taking the opportunity to highlight some of this valuable work. "I'd like to reiterate that we don't have the same scale of problem as other parts of the country, but we know there are public concerns and this initiative is primarily about addressing those concerns. "People who carry knives are just as much at risk of harming themselves as well as others, and they are also at risk of being arrested, charged to court, and possibly sent to prison. "As part of the campaign we will be providing disposal bins in stations for members of the public to come along and voluntarily dispose of any knives they may be in possession of." There will be bins allocated to the following police stations in Northumbria: Central Forth Banks Gateshead Northern Middle Engine Lane Hexham Bedlington Southern Millbank Southwick Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, Barry Coppinger said: “We are proud to support this national initiative which will help to raise awareness about the damage and destruction that knives can cause.Over the next two weeks members of the public will have the opportunity to surrender knives safely and anonymously. Removing knives from our streets will help protect our communities and provide a safer environment for the whole area. Ron Hogg, Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner, is supporting the amnesty. He said: “This is an ideal opportunity for residents who have unwanted knives in their household, to dispose of them in a safe and responsible way. I encourage residents to use the knife bins during the amnesty, available at various police stations across County Durham and Darlington.”

Police are appealing for information after a window was damaged in Bedlington. Between 8pm Wednesday, August 19, and Wednesday, August 26, vandals smashed the rear window of a property in Westlea. Enquiries are ongoing into the damage and anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference number 1059 260815.

Officers are stepping up patrols to deal with anti-social behaviour (ASB) in and around Plessey Woods in Northumberland. Residents and visitors to the parkland have raised concerns about rowdy behaviour, people riding motorcycles and quad bikes, abusive language and general issues of ASB. Bedlington Neighbourhood Inspector Trevor Oakley, said: "Plessey Woods is a lovely parkland for people to enjoy and we don't want the problem behaviour of a few people spoiling the enjoyment for the vast majority of visitors, which is why we want to nip the problem in the bud. "We know anti-social behaviour causes concern to local people which can seriously affect their quality of life. We know youths and other people have been gathering in Plessey Woods in Bedlington and causing anti-social behaviour and disorder. "We've had number of calls from people concerned about off-road motorbikes and quad bikes being ridden in the area over recent weeks. Their behaviour has been causing a disturbance to residents and visitors, who were also worried about their safety, and distress to dog walkers and horse riders who regularly use the area. "As a result we've increased our neighbourhood patrols of in the area at the key times these incidents have been reported. Officers have also been out talking to residents about the problem and making enquiries to find out who has been responsible for the anti-social behaviour. "We are working closely with our partner agencies to tackle this. Neighbourhood officers have carried out regular patrols in the area and spoken to those causing a nuisance, in addition measures have been put in place to deter any further disorder. "I hope people are reassured by the action we're taking and would ask they continue to help us target offenders by providing us with information on those who ride motorbikes irresponsibly and illegally. "I'd urge people to contact us with any concerns they have about this or any other issues in their area." Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said: "There is no place for anti-social behaviour in our communities and I welcome the work being carried out in Plessey Woods to address people's concerns. Here we have a great example of Northumbria Police working with partners to take action to tackle the small minority involved in causing anti-social behaviour and reduce its impact on the local neighbourhood. Residents must feel assured that their concerns are being addressed and I urge anyone with any information or concerns to contact their neighbourhood police team." Councillor Liz Simpson, chair of the safer Northumberland Partnership, said: “Northumberland County Council is fully committed to working with Northumbria Police to tackle anti-social behaviour throughout the county. I would like to reassure all those who visit Plessey Woods that the council and the police are determined to keep the area safe.” Police are reminding riders of motorbikes and quad bikes on public roads that they must have a valid licence and insurance or could face prosecution and that riders cannot use a motorbike on private land without the genuine permission of the landowner. Officers will stop bikes causing a nuisance and issue a Section 59 warning to riders, telling them if they continue to drive anti-socially or dangerously and receive a second warning within 12 months their bike can be seized and may be crushed. People can contact police on 101, extension 69191 or via the Northumbria Police website, www.northumbria.police.uk View the full news release

Police are appealing for information after a number of cars were broken into in Bedlington. Between 9pm on Wednesday, March 11, and 8am on Thursday, March 12, five cars were targeted by thieves in the Hazelmere Estate area. Enquiries are ongoing to establish what has been taken but police believe the offenders have chosen to steal from vehicles that were left unlocked and insecure. Officers are in the area carrying out enquiries and are appealing for anyone with any information to contact them. Neighbourhood Inspector Trevor Oakley said: "Twelve cars were broken into on Sunday night and today we have now had five more reports. There is obviously a thief or thieves operating in Bedlington looking for easy opportunities to get into people's cars. "We are carrying out enquiries, checking CCTV footage and speaking to local residents and there will be extra officers patrolling the areas where the crimes have happened. "We need residents to help us by removing all of their valuables from their cars overnight and making sure their car is locked when they park it up. "If thieves are specifically targeting cars that are unlocked then make sure yours isn't an easy target by locking it when you leave it." Anyone who saw anything suspicious around the times of the thefts, or anyone with any information is asked to contact police in Bedlington on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference number 175 030315. The appeal comes as part of Operation Soundwave - a force wide initiative targeting opportunist thieves and burglars. For crime prevention information and advice on how to protect your property visit: http://www.northumbria.police.uk/advice_and_information/crime_prevention/vehicle_security/index/index.asp

Police are appealing for information after a pizza shop was burgled in Bedlington Station. Between 7:18pm and 7:25pm on Sunday, February 22, someone went into Gino's Pizza shop in Clayton Street climbed over the counter and stole money from the till. The thief then fled the shop. Enquiries are ongoing into the burglary and police are appealing for anyone with any information to contact them on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference number 963 220215.

Police are appealing for information after a gas meter was stolen in Bedlington. Between midnight and 10am on Wednesday, January 14, thieves stole an external gas meter from outside of an address in Front Street East. Enquiries are ongoing into the theft and police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference number sn 500 14/01/15.