Police Hour

28/05/2026

📱 Hartlepool College introduces new mobile phone pouch system for students.

From Tuesday 2nd June 2026, students will be required to store mobile phones in designated phone pouches during the College day following distribution during tutor time on Monday 1st June.

Parents and carers are being advised that pouches can be purchased via ParentPay for £7. Students without a pouch will be expected to leave mobile phones at home.

The College has confirmed that any student seen using or carrying a mobile phone during the College day without a pouch will have the device confiscated until collected by a parent or carer.

“No pouch, no phone.” 📵

The move reflects growing discussions nationally around mobile phone use within education settings, concentration in classrooms and student wellbeing.

25/05/2026

The street remains closed today. Follow Hartlepool News & Alerts for updates throughout the day.

Part of Church Street (near to Whitby Street) is currently taped off and CLOSED with a police presence following an incident early hours

Please avoid

05/05/2026

Last night marked one of the darkest moments in the history of Marine Rescue NSW.

Volunteers are on call 24/7, ready to respond when help is needed. Last night, six crew members from Marine Rescue Ballina launched to assist a yacht reported in difficulty off the South Ballina break wall, with one clear objective: to save lives.

Tragically, two volunteers lost their lives during the operation.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said the loss is a stark reminder of the risks taken by those who serve their communities.

“These two men were serving others when they made the ultimate sacrifice.

“Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones, their fellow crew members, the radio operators who managed the incident, and the wider Marine Rescue NSW and Ballina community during this incredibly difficult time.

“Support is in place for those affected, including counselling and chaplaincy services. We ask that their privacy is respected.”

04/05/2026

Have you seen John Laidlaw? ❗

Police are appealing for information after 44-year-old John Laidlaw absconded from Kirklevington Grange Prison on the afternoon of Monday 4 May 2026.

Laidlaw, who worked in the prison’s public car valeting service, went missing shortly after finishing his shift at around 2pm.

He was last seen wearing a navy blue sweatshirt, blue cargo-style trousers, and white and blue trainers.

Laidlaw, a white British man originally from the Hertfordshire area, was convicted of three attempted murders in 2007. He was transferred to Kirklevington Grange Prison in 2024 and had recently been granted regular unsupervised day release.

Superintendent John Wrintmore said Laidlaw was reported missing at around 4.30pm. Officers, supported by police dogs and a drone unit, are carrying out searches in the area, alongside extensive CCTV enquiries and other investigative work.

Police have confirmed that Laidlaw is not from the local area, and it is currently unclear where he may have gone or whether he has travelled via nearby transport links, including Yarm train station.

Anyone who believes they have seen him is urged not to approach, but to call 999 immediately.

30/04/2026

No drama needed. Yesterday in London, two officers acted decisively with what they had to stop a terrorist threat.

Minutes earlier, it could have been routine policing. Instead, they were faced with an attacker armed with a knife who had already injured two people. That shift from ordinary to critical happens fast, and no amount of training fully replicates the reality when instinct takes over.

They chose to act. Because it was necessary. Because it was their responsibility. Because that is what policing demands in moments like this.

Beyond the headlines, this is the reality. Officers stepping forward when others are stepping back.

Wishing those injured a full recovery, and credit to the member of the public who stepped in to help.

21/04/2026

🚨 Hartlepool Incident 🚨

Shocking scenes in Hartlepool today after a vehicle, which had reportedly been seen driving around earlier, was found on fire in the middle of a busy road.

The car had been covered in spray-painted messages, including “chase me” and references to Cleveland Police Matrix, raising serious concerns about what led up to this.

Eyewitnesses say the vehicle had been drawing attention before flames took hold, with thick smoke quickly filling the area and causing disruption to traffic and concern for public safety.

Thankfully, emergency services responded, but incidents like this could have had far more serious consequences given how busy the road was at the time.

⚠️ If you saw this vehicle earlier, or have any dashcam footage, it’s important to report it.

This kind of behaviour puts lives at risk and impacts the whole community.

09/04/2026

A child has tragically died following a dog attack, police have confirmed.

Emergency services, including armed officers, were called to Hardale Grove in Dormanstown, Redcar, shortly after 1.30pm on Thursday amid concerns for a child. Despite their efforts, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police believe the death was caused by a dog bite. One dog was destroyed at the scene, while a second dog from the property has been taken into police care.

The North East Ambulance Service attended with three crews, and one person was taken to the hospital for further treatment.

District Commander Emily Harrison described the incident as deeply distressing, stating that thoughts are with the child’s family at this incredibly difficult time.

A scene remains in place as investigations continue. Anyone with information or concerns is urged to speak with officers.

09/04/2026

An inquest has confirmed that court bailiff Jeff Blair, 55, died as a result of stab wounds following an incident while carrying out his duties in Shildon, County Durham.

The brief hearing at Crook Coroners Court formally established the cause of death. The full inquest has now been suspended pending the outcome of ongoing criminal proceedings.

Mr Blair, a former Durham Constabulary officer with 22 years of service, was working as a court bailiff at the time. He attended an address on Dent Street alongside a locksmith, where a confrontation took place and he sustained serious injuries. He was taken to James Cook University Hospital but sadly later died.

Robert Davies, 49, has been charged with murder, possession of an offensive weapon, and affray. He remains in custody ahead of further court proceedings.

Police have maintained a presence in the area as investigations continue. Detective Chief Inspector Sharon Alderson described the incident as deeply upsetting and said it has had a significant impact on the local community.

Mr Blair’s family have spoken of their devastation, describing him as a much-loved son, father, partner and friend whose humour and warmth will be greatly missed.

Colleagues within the courts service, along with former policing associates, have paid tribute to him, remembering him as a gentleman and a genuinely kind individual.

The inquest will resume once criminal proceedings have concluded, at which stage the coroner will consider whether any wider factors contributed to his death and whether recommendations are required to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

08/04/2026

A teenage chef was struck by a police officer after spitting in his face, a court has heard.

Finley Messenger (18) had been out drinking in Newcastle before being arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and taken into custody.

While in a cell, magistrates heard he was “kicking, screaming and acting like a toddler” before deliberately spitting into an officer’s eyes and mouth.

CCTV shown in court captured the officer striking him to the head seconds later, described as “swift summary justice”.

Messenger was later taken to hospital with suspected concussion, though no serious injury was found.

The case was heard at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, where he admitted assaulting an emergency worker.

He was fined £233 and ordered to pay costs and compensation.

Magistrates were told the incident began as “low-level” but escalated quickly due to his behaviour in custody.

07/02/2026

We are sending lots of love to the family of Nathan Woodhead and to our charity partner LilyAnne's Wellbeing who have been left devastated by the news.

If you can support please donate to the GoFundMe appeal to help get him back home to his family and the send off his children deserve.

Yesterday we lost a friend and a huge part of LilyAnne’s Wellbeing, Nathan Woodhead.

We first met Nathan in a doorway. From that moment on, we walked alongside him, not as support workers, but as friends. Over the years, he became part of the fabric of our hub. Every single day, without fail, Nathan would pop in, wind us all up, make us laugh, and head off on his way.

Our team is absolutely devastated.

Nathan was a well known face around the town, recognised for his friendliness, his humour, and the way he wore his heart on his sleeve. Despite facing incredibly hard times, he never stopped caring about others. He always checked in, always offered support, always brought light into the room.

We supported Nathan for many years, and while we always feared this day might come, that never lessened the bond we shared with him or the impact he had on us all.

Nathan, you became such a huge part of who we are. Your presence, your laughter, and your kindness will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace. You will always be part of LilyAnne’s Wellbeing. 💙