Naomi Corrigan

Cleveland Police released an image of a man they believe may have information about a burglary at a home on Powlett Road in Hartlepool’s Dyke House area. The incident occurred between 7am and 3pm on June 3, with jewellery, cash and gaming equipment stolen after entry was gained through a side door. Police are asking the man or anyone who can identify him to contact them, with anonymous information accepted through Crimestoppers.

The four sets of hands on Middlesbrough Town Hall’s clock have been removed for repair and restoration by specialist firm Smith of Derby. The west-facing hands will be replaced with new copper and brass replicas, while the other three sets will be restored. Work is expected to finish in September 2026, with photographer Simon Hill documenting the project for his book The North Revisited. Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said the repairs would help preserve the landmark and ensure the clock remains reliable for future generations.

Seventy-five-year-old June Redman from Middlesbrough remains in intensive care at Ahu Hospital in Marmaris after falling at her hotel during a family holiday and later developing sepsis, kidney failure and pneumonia. Although she has emerged from an induced coma and is showing gradual improvement, her family says she needs an air ambulance home for further treatment. They estimate that insurance will cover only 21.28% of the £31,500 repatriation cost, citing a dispute over undeclared medical-history details including COPD. The insurer's parent company, Ancile Insurance Group, says it is supporting the family while the relatives raise funds through donations.

Two terraced properties on Pilkington Street and McBean Street in North Ormesby were deliberately struck by a vehicle in separate incidents late on August 12. Police believe the attacks were targeted and linked; the vehicle was abandoned and its occupants fled. No one was injured, but both properties are being assessed for structural damage. Cleveland Police are investigating and appealing for witnesses, doorbell footage, dashcam recordings and CCTV.

Eighteen-year-old Lottie Taylor-Watson from Skelton is preparing to attend The Hammond performing arts school after receiving a government-funded Dance and Drama Award. She previously completed an engineering diploma at Redcar and Cleveland College because the school’s fees were unaffordable, continuing dance training alongside her studies. Her family and community are fundraising for nearly £8,000 in accommodation costs, uniforms and performance charges, while hoping the effort can eventually help other talented young people whose opportunities are limited by finances.

Akbar's restaurant in Middlesbrough has avoided a £15,000 penalty for employing an alleged illegal worker after the Supreme Court ruled that the Home Office notice was invalid. The notice listed three possible legal grounds but did not identify which one applied, denying the restaurant sufficient information to understand or challenge the penalty. Five Supreme Court judges concluded that penalties imposed by the state must include clear and accurate reasons, overturning decisions by lower courts.

The 36th Middlesbrough Mela will take place at Albert Park on August 15 and 16, featuring music performances, global food, a shopping bazaar, cultural workshops, a funfair and children’s activities. Headliners include a Michael Jackson tribute, Sona Walia, Miss Pooja, Mumzy Stranger, Veronica and XLNC. BBC Asian Network is returning as the official broadcast partner, a collaboration organisers say reflects the festival’s growing national profile. Admission is free and no tickets are required.

Middlesbrough recorded the highest crime rate in England and Wales outside London, while the Cleveland Police area had the country’s highest homicide rate in 2025/26. Local Labour MPs Andy McDonald and Luke Myer called for a fairer government funding formula, arguing that deprivation, high crime and years of underfunding have left the force short of resources. Cleveland Police received £196 million, but still faced a £3.9 million budget gap and had 200 fewer officers than in 2010. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said £1.3 million had been invested in town-centre policing but described the figures as a wake-up call, demanding a credible plan from the force. Sexual offences also increased across Teesside, with low charge rates for recorded offences and rape.

Eston mother Sarah Dunbar describes transforming her health after reaching almost 17 stone and experiencing what she believes was postnatal depression. Boxercise, strength training, improved nutrition and a fitness diploma led her to establish SB Fitness, a women-focused gym offering classes throughout the week. Dunbar is now preparing for her first bodybuilding contest, the PCAs in Manchester on September 6, and encourages women to prioritize exercise, adequate nutrition and strength training.

Cleveland Police are appealing for information about a girl believed to be around 16 who was seen in a distressed state on Lanehouse Road in Thornaby at about 4 p.m. on August 5. She was wearing leggings and a pink and purple top, with her hair in a plait, but had left before officers arrived. Police have conducted CCTV checks, house-to-house enquiries and witness interviews, and are asking anyone with information to call 101, quoting reference 155434.

Official figures show Middlesbrough recorded 23,419 crimes in the year, equivalent to 150 per 1,000 residents—the highest rate in England and Wales outside London and a 1% annual increase. Cleveland Police recorded the country’s highest homicide rate, while Hartlepool and Middlesbrough ranked among the areas with the highest recorded sex-offence rates. Non-fraud crime across Cleveland rose 4% to 74,091 offences, despite a 1% national decline, prompting Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey to call for urgent government action on policing and community-safety funding.

Felix, a six-year-old cat missing for five years, was found at a farm near Yarm with a front leg severely injured by a snare and covered in maggots. Vets at Bridge Vets amputated the limb, and Cats Protection Teesside funded his treatment and ongoing care. Felix has adapted well to life on three legs and is seeking an adoptive home with a secure outdoor area. Cats Protection is using the case to renew calls for a UK ban on snare traps, which can also injure pets and non-target wildlife; the government says it intends to introduce a ban, while snares are already prohibited in Scotland and Wales.

Leo Durrant-Hoe, 19, of Shildon, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court charged with three firearms offences linked to an alleged shooting at a property on Flint Close in Grangetown. No one was injured. Police believe the incident may be connected to a separate alleged shooting in South Bank, and six other people have been arrested. Durrant-Hoe was remanded in custody, with the case sent to Teesside Crown Court for a hearing on August 21.

Two firearm discharges at properties in Flint Close, Grangetown, and Bevanlee Road, South Bank, were believed to be linked. No one was injured. Seven people were arrested, including 19-year-old Leo Durrant-Hoe, who was charged with firearms and ammunition offences and remanded in custody for a Crown Court hearing. Cleveland Police continued house-to-house and CCTV enquiries and introduced Section 60 stop-and-search powers to increase reassurance and deter further criminality.

Stockton-born author Leanne Thomas has found early success with her debut novel, “Overwhelming Love,” which reached number five in Amazon’s disability fiction charts shortly after its July 17 release. Partly set in Teesside and Cornwall, the novel follows a single mother raising a non-speaking autistic daughter and draws on Thomas’s own experiences caring for her six-year-old daughter, Myla. Thomas said she wrote the book partly as therapy and to help parents of children with special educational needs feel represented and less alone. She also highlighted the lack of suitable holiday care and the employment pressures faced by families of disabled children.

An inquest into the death of eight-year-old Lucas Tarran examined complications that arose during preparation for an emergency appendectomy at the University Hospital of North Tees, where he suffered a bronchospasm, a collapsed lung and cardiac arrest following difficulties with intubation. Testimony addressed whether his asthma was fully assessed beforehand and highlighted concerns raised by his father about communication regarding the duration of hypoxia and cardiac arrest. Despite resuscitation efforts, Lucas died weeks later from global hypoxic brain injury. The inquest is ongoing.

The Environment Agency has issued an immediate suspension notice to SMLF Ltd, halting new waste intake at the Seaton Meadows landfill in Hartlepool after a survey found excess waste deposits. The operator must comply with agreed tipping levels under its environmental permit, with early checks indicating adherence. Residents may see material relocated on-site but should not see new waste arriving. The company has two months to appeal through the Planning Inspectorate. Local councillors and residents welcomed the action amid longstanding complaints about strong odours from the landfill, which have affected daily life across Hartlepool and wider Teesside.

An Army veteran and bystanders battled dangerous 12-foot waves and strong currents to rescue a young boy at Seaton Carew, where two men, Wayne Taylor and Ian Pascoe, died attempting to save children in difficulty. Craig Wiltshire described severe sea conditions and the coordinated efforts of strangers who intervened despite personal risk. Emergency services recovered the victims and continue investigating the circumstances. Tributes, fundraising for the Taylor family, and calls for more lifeguards have followed the tragedy.