Spennymoor and Ferryhill Police

Two women have appeared in court charged with robbery.

Bethany Carr, of Ferryhill, and Tracy Cornish, of Durham, were arrested following the incident in Ferryhill on Sunday (October 20) after a suspected theft was reported.

Ms Carr, 26 and Ms Cornish, 46, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (October 22).

They did not enter any pleas and were remanded into custody for their next appearance on November 19.

⚖️A robber who threatened a man for a can of Coca Cola before terrorising two shop workers has been jailed.

Layton Hynes travelled to Ferryhill on the evening of March 12 this year and approached his first victim in Main Street, punching him before taking the soft drink and loose coins from him.

About 20 minutes later, the 19-year-old, of Middlesborough then entered an off licence and threatened two staff before making off with alcohol.

But not being satisfied with two robberies, the teenager returned to the store again and committed a third after barging behind the till area to steal yet more alcohol.

Hynes was sharply arrested after officers reviewed CCTV and despite giving a no comment interview, was charged and remanded to court.

His case was heard at Teesside Crown Court and he was sentenced to a total of eight years in prison.

🗣Detective Sergeant Phillip Stainthorpe, who led the investigation, said: “Hynes’ actions were despicable and left a lasting impact on his victims, who we hope can now start to recover from their ordeal.

“We do not know why he travelled to our area but we will always do everything we can to catch criminals of his ilk and bring them to justice.”

This week is Safer Business Action Week and officers have been hitting the beat to combat business and retail crime.

We’re happy to report that Craig Johnson is back behind bars after being locked up again for theft and breaching his restraining order not to enter the Co-Op.

The 33-year-old, of Ferryhill, appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates yesterday where he pleaded guilty to both offences and was remanded into custody.

He is expected to be sentenced on October 29.

And prolific offender Shaun Lee Short was arrested last week and charged with burglary and ten charges of theft from businesses in the town.

The 38-year-old, of Ferryhill, appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates and was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison.

Two teenagers have appeared in court in connection with a spate of attempted burglaries in Spennymoor yesterday.

Luca Tancau, 19, and a 17-year-old boy who can not be named for legal reasons, were arrested following the incidents in Craddock Street and St Paul’s Close.

Mr Tancau, of Spennymoor, and the boy appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court this morning, each charged on suspicion of 17 attempted burglaries.

No pleas were entered and they are next expected to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on October 30.

Officers have seized a quantity of alcohol from underage drinkers in the Spennymoor area whilst on patrol, and with the help of Durham Special Constabulary SC 3697.

Members of the public are being encourage to report incidents of anti-social behaviour to Durham County Council as well as police.

https://www.durham.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

https://www.durham.gov.uk/asb

Back at it again.

Officers arrested Craig Burnham at the weekend in connection with seven thefts from the Co-op in Ferryhill.

The 38-year-old, of Brandon, was already on bail for four previous shoplifting offences and was put before the court on Monday (September 30) charged with four thefts and breaching bail conditions not to enter the store.

He was sentenced to 30 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today (October 4).

Meanwhile Shaun Short, of Ferryhill, was also put before the court on Monday (September 30) charged with six thefts and failing to appear at court.

He pleaded guilty to all offences and is due to be sentenced on October 23.

Craig Johnson, of Ferryhill, was also been charged with five thefts and two breaches of restraining order and remanded to court on Monday (September 30).

He pleaded guilty to all offences and will be sentenced on October 29.

⚠️ROAD CLOSED

Dene Bridge Row in Chilton is currently closed due to a fallen telegraph pole.

The road is expected to be closed for several hours while repairs are carried out.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area and find an alternative route.

👊Neighbourhood officers have been busy rounding up offenders again this week.

First up is Shaun Short who was arrested on Wednesday evening for six thefts, including five from stores in the Market Place.

The 38-year-old, of Rennie Street, Ferryhill, was charged and remanded to court today where he pleaded guilty to all offences.

He is expected to be sentenced on October 23.

Also in the cells was 31-year-old Carl Robinson who was also locked up on Wednesday for failing to appear at court.

Robinson, of Coniston Road, Ferryhill, was handed a three-and-a-half month prison sentence relating to a string of thefts.

And Paul Short, of Davy Street, Ferryhill, was also dealt with for failing to appear at court.

The 41-year-old was given a two-and-a-half-month suspended prison sentence for assaulting an emergency worker.

We now only have 24hour segment timers, plug in simulator TV's, and door chimes available!

** UPDATE **

We have now ran out of security lights and only have 2 chains left. We still have lots of other items to choose from.

If you are wanting any of the safer homes equipment, please pop into our Front Counter betweem 10am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Don’t let them take what’s yours ‼️

Next week, we’re teaming up with other forces up and down the country to highlight ways to protect yourself from vehicle crime.
Vehicle crime is on the increase and it significantly impacts communities and industry.

It’s not possible to pinpoint why but we do know there is increased demand for certain makes and models of cars outside of the UK and this is one of the key factors driving the organised crime side of vehicle theft.

🎯 We know keyless car owners are being hit hard who are susceptible to the ‘Relay Attack’ theft method.
There are several steps you can take to make it harder for thieves using this method 👇
• Purchase a faraday pouch to store your keys in (including spares). Make sure the pouch is designed specifically for keys and test it by inserting your fob into the pouch and attempting to open your vehicle
• Refer to your user manual to see if your keyless entry fob can be deactivated at night 🌙
We would also highly recommend purchasing a camera which covers your entire property, this way it makes us easier for us to identify offenders.
I am not a keyless car owner; how can I protect myself? 👇
• Make sure your car is locked in the first place
• Keep valuables out of sight
• Do you have an alarm, immobiliser or tracking system?
• Learn about your vehicle

What can we do to help? 👮
Our neighbourhood teams actively patrol residential areas and test for unlocked cars under Operation Hawkeye. If we are operating in your area, please chat to us and we can offer you advice.

We also hand out crime prevention equipment like the items pictured.

If you would like to collect any of the Safer Homes equipment pictured, please call into Spennymoor Police Station between Monday and Friday 10am-5pm and you can select the items which would be useful to you.
These items are free.

If you would like some of the items but may struggle to get into the station, please message us and we can arrange a time and date to come out to you.

⚖️A prolific thief who carried out a string of offences in Spennymoor has been jailed.

Shane Mather was arrested earlier this month after breaking into cars.

The 44-year-old was charged with two counts of theft from motorvehicle, two counts of vehicle interference and fraud after he tried to use a bank card stolen from one of the cars.

Mather, of No Fixed Abode, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on September 12 and was jailed for three-and-a-half months.

🗣PC Callum Riddell said: "Mather is a prolific offender who has no regard for other people's property and this criminality will not be tolerated in our community."

With criminals using darker nights to attempt thefts, officers are also reminding motorists about the importance of keeping vehicles secure and valuables out of sight 👇

• ensure no items are on display and remove valuables from your vehicle each night
• don't leave your keys in the ignition when you’re outside of the vehicle (especially during those frosty mornings)
• don’t leave your house and vehicle keys in the lock or on a side table in view of a window
• if you drive a keyless car, keep the fob in a Faraday bag to block the signal and prevent copying
• use a steering lock
• consider installing a security light and/or CCTV at your property

Please report any unusual behaviour to us via 101 or 999 in an emergency.

A woman has appeared in court following a robbery in Ferryhill.

Officers responded to reports that a man had been robbed of his wallet at his home on Saturday (September 21).

A 26-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the incident yesterday.

Bethany Carr, of Magdalen Place, Ferryhill, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today, charged with robbery, threatening to damage property and harassment.

No pleas were entered and Ms Carr was bailed with conditions.
She is next expected to appear at Durham Crown Court on October 23.

To survivors of r**e and sexual offences we want to say one thing: “We believe you.”

The fear of not being believed is one of the main reasons that survivors of r**e or sexual assault don’t report the offence to police.

We want to change that.

Last year, we charged 103 people with r**e in County Durham and Darlington.

We also charged 89 others with sexual assault, and 139 people with stalking and harassment.

If you’ve been r**ed, sexually assaulted, or stalked, tell us.
We believe you.

Call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency, or report online at www.durham.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/r**e-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

If you’re not ready to speak to police, contact The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0330 223 0099 or visit www.sarcdurham.co.uk

The R**e and Sexual Abuse Support Line is available 24/7 and provides support for anyone who has been affected by r**e or sexual assault. Call 0808 500 2222 or visit www.247sexualabusesupport.org.uk

Local charity Harbour provides support to those experiencing domestic abuse. Call 03000 20 25 25 or visit www.myharbour.org.uk

** UPDATE **

We have now ran out of security lights and only have 2 chains left. We still have lots of other items to choose from.

If you are wanting any of the safer homes equipment, please pop into our Front Counter betweem 10am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Don’t let them take what’s yours ‼️

Next week, we’re teaming up with other forces up and down the country to highlight ways to protect yourself from vehicle crime.
Vehicle crime is on the increase and it significantly impacts communities and industry.

It’s not possible to pinpoint why but we do know there is increased demand for certain makes and models of cars outside of the UK and this is one of the key factors driving the organised crime side of vehicle theft.

🎯 We know keyless car owners are being hit hard who are susceptible to the ‘Relay Attack’ theft method.
There are several steps you can take to make it harder for thieves using this method 👇
• Purchase a faraday pouch to store your keys in (including spares). Make sure the pouch is designed specifically for keys and test it by inserting your fob into the pouch and attempting to open your vehicle
• Refer to your user manual to see if your keyless entry fob can be deactivated at night 🌙
We would also highly recommend purchasing a camera which covers your entire property, this way it makes us easier for us to identify offenders.
I am not a keyless car owner; how can I protect myself? 👇
• Make sure your car is locked in the first place
• Keep valuables out of sight
• Do you have an alarm, immobiliser or tracking system?
• Learn about your vehicle

What can we do to help? 👮
Our neighbourhood teams actively patrol residential areas and test for unlocked cars under Operation Hawkeye. If we are operating in your area, please chat to us and we can offer you advice.

We also hand out crime prevention equipment like the items pictured.

If you would like to collect any of the Safer Homes equipment pictured, please call into Spennymoor Police Station between Monday and Friday 10am-5pm and you can select the items which would be useful to you.
These items are free.

If you would like some of the items but may struggle to get into the station, please message us and we can arrange a time and date to come out to you.

Check out our collection 👇

Ferryhill neighbourhood have been busy seizing vehicles this week which have been obstructing the area and causing a nuisance.

Officers seized three vehicles following information from you under Operation Takeaway.

All of the vehicles from the West Cornforth area were also not insured.

⚖️A prolific thief who targeted businesses at least 20 times has been ordered to pay back more than £2,000.

Goods from meat worth £18 to electric toothbrushes worth £620 were just some of a long string of thefts from shops across Newton Aycliffe, Spennymoor and Coundon carried out by Stuart David Brown.

Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood PCs Joshua Roberts and Adam Crawford trawled through the town’s CCTV and through detective work, managed to identify and link Brown to all of the thefts.

They then traced the 31-year-old to the town’s Job Centre where he was promptly arrested and taken into custody.

Brown admitted the offences in interview and pleaded guilty to 21 counts of shop theft when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Four more charges of theft were also taken into consideration.

Brown, of Priestman Road, Newton Aycliffe, was handed a 26-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to repay the full amount of the items he stole at £2,249.96.

🗣PC Roberts said: “Offenders like Brown bring harm to our communities and we will always work hard to bring them to justice.

“Our team worked around the clock to gather the necessary intelligence and track down Brown to take him into custody and I’d like to thank the community for continuing to work closely with us to effectively reduce this type of crime.”

Ferryhill Beat Team have been busy targeting suspected thieves in the area.

Craig Johnson, of Ferryhill, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with two thefts from the Co-op as well as two counts of breaching a restraining order preventing him from entering the store.

The 33-year-old pleaded guilty and was remanded into custody. He is due to be sentenced at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on September 20.

He follows suspects Sarah Moutter and Craig Burnham who were arrested on Wednesday following several shoplifting offences in the town.

Ms Moutter, 46, of Ferryhill, was charged with two thefts and using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour that could cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Mr Burnham, 38, of Brandon, was charged with four thefts.

Both were bailed and are due to attend Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on September 23.

Meanwhile Lee Dunn was charged with robbery in Chilton following work with Bishop Auckland CID.

Mr Dunn, of Chilton, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on August 31 but did not enter any pleas.

The 38-year-old was remanded into custody and is next expected to appear at Durham Crown Court on September 30.

A further two suspects were locked up for two burglaries in Ferryhill. They have both been bailed pending further enquiries.

⬇️

A thief has admitted targeting businesses in Ferryhill and Chilton.

Stacey Aldworth was arrested last month on suspicion of seven counts of theft from a shop and using abusive language.

She appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court on August 30 where she plead guilty to the theft offences.

The 36-year-old, of Co-operative Street, Shildon, will next appear at court on December 2.

PC Thomas Whitfield said: “I would like to thank the public for their assistance following the media appeal and the victims who supported our investigation.

“We will continue to tackle prolific offenders to ensure residents within the community feel safe.”

This collection of knives is now OFF the streets.

These were handed over to us this week as part of our ongoing surrender and compensation scheme for zombie-style knives and machetes.

The surrender period, which will run until September 23 and ties in with the year-round ‘Operation Sceptre’ initiative to tackle knife crime, allows owners to hand in their weapons to police and claim compensation from the government.

From 24 September this year, new legislation will make it illegal to own, supply, manufacture or import zombie-style knives and machetes.

Further details of the surrender scheme, including a list of applicable items and guidance for safely transporting them can be found via the Home Office website: https://www.gov.uk/.../compensation-scheme-for-zombie...

Eligible knives can be handed in at the below police stations:
- Bishop Auckland
- Durham City
- Peterlee
- Darlington

*Not all the knives in this collection are illegal, however the collector did not wish to have them in their home any longer*

UPDATE: Following enquiries carried out by the emergency services it was concluded that there was no cause for concern.

The cordon was lifted shortly before 11pm and residents are now being allowed to return home.

We would like to thank everyone affected for their patience and understanding during this time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Officers are currently dealing with an incident in the Emerald Walk area of Chilton.

A potentially suspicious package was discovered shortly before 8.30pm tonight.

The area is being evacuated as a precaution, and a cordon is in place while emergency services carry out enquiries.

Residents which are being evacuated to a temporary rest centre.

Please avoid the area while we deal with the incident, and we will update with further information as soon as possible.

Wanted!

Have you seen Stacey Aldworth? 👇

Officers would like to speak to the 36-year-old in connection with shoplifting and a public order offence.

She has links to Ferryhill and Chilton.

Anyone who has seen her is asked to contact PC 9363 Whitfield on 101 or email [email protected]

Spennymoor NPT were invited to Amazon Family Fun Day at Hardwick Hall yesterday.

We loved seeing everyone enjoying themselves, exploring the police van, car and bike😊we even had special guests from our dog section!

Thank you some much to Amazon for inviting us, we had a fab day!

Have you seen Darren Gill?

Officers would like to speak to him in connection with a robbery and burglary which occurred in May.

The 44-year-old has links to Bishop Auckland Spennymoor and Ferryhill.

Anyone who has seen him is asked to contact PC Lee from Bishop Auckland CID on 101 quoting incident number 9 of May 24.

We are expecting a large turnout for a funeral in Newton Aycliffe tomorrow (Wednesday, July 24).

Officers have been working closely with the family who have expressed a desire for a respectful and dignified day and request that those involved in the funeral procession and wake use the roads safely.

Police and partner agencies will be assisting with traffic control measures in the area and residents are expected to experience some delays.

Central Avenue remains closed due to roadworks and high volumes of traffic are likely around the St Cuthbert’s Way area.

Thank you all for your cooperation.