North East Media (2025)

05/09/2025

UK News

Angela Rayner has resigned as deputy prime minister and housing secretary after admitting she failed to pay enough stamp duty when purchasing her £800,000 flat in Hove near Brighton.

Do you think she should have resigned as an MP also?

05/09/2025

Construction starts on new leisure centre and library

The creation of a new leisure centre and library for Bishop Auckland has reached its first major milestone.

Durham County Council has held an official ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of the town’s new leisure centre and library, which will see the current facilities replaced with a new, modern community hub.

When complete, the new venue will feature a fully integrated library space; two accessible swimming pools; a cutting-edge gym and two group exercise studios; a Move Hub with power-assisted equipment; a sauna and steam room; a soft play centre; and a café.

Enabling works have been ongoing since the summer to prepare the site, which included the demolition of Woodhouse Close Library, and work will now start on the new build.

Cllr Joe Quinn, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: “We’re delighted to be moving forward with the new leisure centre and library for Bishop Auckland, with the project entering its next phase of development and work officially starting on the new building.

“This project is being delivered as part of our Leisure Transformation Programme through which we have been creating modern and accessible facilities across our towns to encourage more residents to engage with leisure activities and live healthier lives. The new centre also supports our wider ambition to build better communities and thriving towns through the provision of up-to-date facilities.”

Woodhouse Closure Leisure Centre remains open to the public while works are ongoing.

While Woodhouse Close Library has now been demolished, a click-and-collect library service is available at Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre.

Residents can continue to access full services at nearby libraries including Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Shildon, and Coundon.

Continues…

The project is funded by the council with a £2.75 million contribution from Sport England. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.

Residents and customers will be kept updated as the works progresses.

05/09/2025

Officers investigating a report of r**e in Northumberland are appealing to the public for witnesses.

Police received a report that a woman had been r**ed by a man – who she did not know – whilst she was walking along Horton Road (A193) towards Bedlington – next to Attlee Park.

The offence is reported to have taken place between 11.25pm and midnight on Saturday (August 30).

An investigation has been launched and the victim – a woman in her 30s – is being supported by specially-trained officers.

Today (Friday), detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have been driving or walking through the area to get in touch with information.

They are especially keen to hear from anyone who may have dashcam footage of Horton Road – and are asking for all footage from this area between 11pm and midnight to be submitted.

The perpetrator is described as being ‘approximately 40 years old, around 5ft 6ins tall, slim build, with dark brown skin’. He is reported to have been wearing a slim, black puffer coat and workstyle or cargo trousers.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Ashurst, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, said: “Firstly, I want to praise the victim for her bravery in coming forward.

“We will ensure she continues to be offered specialist support while our enquiries continue.

“Since we first received the report, we have been conducting extensive enquiries to identify a suspect including going door-to-door and a trawl of CCTV, and we are now asking for the public’s help.

“We have also been conducting extra patrols in the area – which will of course continue – as the safety of the public is our utmost priority.

“While incidents of this nature are extremely rare in our area, we recognise the concern they may cause throughout our communities.

“I want to reassure the residents of Bedlington that we’re doing everything we can to identify and arrest the person responsible.

“As a Force, we’re committed to bringing perpetrators of these types of crimes to justice.”

Police are also reminding people that all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity and should not be identified.

Anyone with information or footage should send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media, use the live chat function on the Force’s website.

For those unable to contact the Force via those ways, call 101.

Please quote crime reference number NP-20250831-0082.

05/09/2025

What is your favourite thing to eat for breakfast?

04/09/2025

Family’s Heartbreak as XL Bully Dogs Kill 16-Week-Old Puppy in Street Attack

A 16-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy has been mauled to death in Ferryhill after two XL Bully dogs escaped from a nearby property and attacked in broad daylight.

Durham Constabulary confirmed officers were called to Grasmere Road at around 12.30pm yesterday (September 3).

A woman was also bitten during the attack but her injuries are not believed to be serious. She made her own way to hospital.

A police spokesperson said:

“Officers attended and one of our dog handlers removed two XL Bully dogs that are believed to have escaped from an address and mauled a Cocker Spaniel puppy before biting a woman.

Sadly, the puppy was deceased at the scene. Both dogs had XL Bully certificates. The owners – a man and woman in their 20s – are assisting officers with enquiries and the investigation is ongoing.”

The devastated family of the puppy, Maisie, issued a heartbreaking statement:

“Our precious Maisie, a beautiful 16-week-old puppy, was mauled to death in our own street by two XL Bully dogs while being walked by my sister, an 18-year-old girl who was also attacked and needed hospital treatment.

Maisie was loved, cared for, and part of our family – and now we are left heartbroken and traumatised by what happened.

My sister, along with everyone in the street including young children, had to witness this horrific incident and are now left in a traumatised state.

These dogs were not secure in their property – the house has no gates to keep them in and the owners were completely unaware they were even out. This should never have happened.

If you own a dangerous dog, it is your responsibility to keep it under control at all times. No dog like that should ever be roaming the streets. The consequences are devastating – innocent lives are lost and families are left shattered.

The police support has been little to none – it felt like they had no sympathy for us at all. All they kept saying was that if we caused issues, we would be arrested and that there was plenty of space in the custody suite.

Please take this as a warning and a call to action: dangerous dogs roaming freely are a serious threat to people, pets, and communities. If you know of a dog that poses a risk, report it before it’s too late. An innocent life has already been taken. This cannot be allowed to happen again. Rest in peace, our beautiful crazy Maisie.”

Police are urging anyone with information to contact [email protected].

03/09/2025

Multiple Police units in attendance at Hartington Road in Stockton.

03/09/2025

Cannabis farm discovered in Stockton

Shortly before 10am on Tuesday 2 September police received reports of a large cannabis farm at a property on Norton Road.

A scene is currently in place and anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police quoting reference number 167770.

02/09/2025

The family of a father and son who sadly died following a collision in South Shields on Saturday have paid a heartfelt tribute to them.

Shortly after 8.55pm on Saturday (August 30), police received a report of a one-vehicle collision on John Reid Road, near to the New Mill Inn.

It was reported that a white Skoda Octavia car was travelling on John Reid Road when, for reasons yet to be established, it has come off the road.

Emergency services attended the scene where two occupants of the Octavia, Peter Webb, aged 40, and his 12-year-old son, Ben Webb – both from South Shields – were both found to have suffered serious injuries.

Both were sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

A man in his 30s also sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment where he currently remains.

He has also since been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Today (Tuesday), Peter and Ben’s family have paid tribute to them.

They said: “Our world has been completely torn apart. We have no words to describe how devastating this has been.

“We will however continue to stick together as one while we navigate a situation we never believed we would be in.

“Peter was a kind wonderful human who would do anything for his family.

“Ben was the most incredible ray of sunshine with an unbelievable sense of humour.

“They are together forever. Please look after our boy, until we meet again.”

Peter and Ben’s family continue to be supported by specialist officers as the Force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

A section of the road was closed for the remainder of Saturday, and all of Sunday (August 31), but fully re-opened to traffic in the early hours of yesterday (Monday).

Leading the investigation, Sergeant Russell Surrey, of Northumbria Police, said:

“The sympathies of everyone here at Northumbria Police continue to be with Peter and Ben’s family.

“We cannot begin to understand their loss but are committed to do everything we can to provide any answers to their loved ones at this awful time.”

Sgt Surrey added: “I’d like to thank everyone who has been in touch so far with information. Your support to our investigation is always appreciated.

“If you were in the area at the time and have any CCTV or dashcam footage which could assist our investigation, please reach out to us as soon as you’re able to.”

Anyone with information or footage should get in touch by sending Northumbria Police a direct message on social media, or by using live chat and report forms on the Force’s website.

Those unable to make contact in these ways can call 101.

Please quote reference number: NP-20250830-1121.

02/09/2025

Back to school for most today!

When do your kids go back?

01/09/2025

BREAKING NEWS

Alexander Isak has officially transferred to Liverpool FC for the fee of £130m on a contract until June 2031

Liverpool titled it “worth the wait”

Do you think Isak will ever be welcome on Tyneside again?

01/09/2025

Middlesbrough striker Striker Marcus Forss has joined Bolton Wanderers on a season-long loan agreement.

The 26-year-old signed for Boro in the summer of 2022 and has scored 18 goals in 92 appearances.

Photo Creidt - Aimz Photography

01/09/2025

The A1 in Northumbria is closed between the A1167 south (Scremerston) and the A1167 north (Berwick-upon-Tweed) following a single vehicle collision.

Following this single vehicle collision involving a lorry carrying chilled meat products the A1 northbound is closed to for recovery purposes.

The cargo of the lorry must be removed prior to recovery operations beginning.

• Diversion Route

Road users are advised to follow the Solid Triangle diversion symbol on road signs

Driving North, exit the A1 at the Scremerston roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto the A1167.

Travel north on the A1167 for 2 miles.

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit to stay on the A1167.

At the next two roundabouts, take the 1st exit to remain on the A1167.

Continue north on the A1167 until reaching the Highfields Roundabout.

At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit to rejoin the A1 northbound.

If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time.

Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.

Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our www.trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional X feed.

Our 24/7 contact centre team is also available to provide up to the minute information on 0300 123 5000.

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