Neil Fatkin

A 12-week Own My Life course in Sunderland is supporting women who have experienced domestic abuse, including survivors facing homelessness, poor mental health, substance misuse or contact with the criminal justice system. Funded with £15,000 from the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s Supporting Victims Programme, Handcrafted Projects will deliver four courses annually through its community hubs, aiming to support up to 40 women each year. Participants say the trauma-informed programme has helped them rebuild confidence, recognise abusive behaviour, regain decision-making power and find their voices. Access is available through referrals from probation, housing and support services, as well as self-referral.

UNISON says 88 long-serving Beamish Museum employees could lose thousands or tens of thousands of pounds in retirement if they are transferred from the Local Government Pension Scheme to a proposed scheme that shifts investment risk from the employer to employees. The union is urging the museum’s board to abandon the plan and has raised concerns about potential fire and rehire practices. Beamish says the change remains a proposal, is subject to collective consultation, and is intended to ensure long-term sustainability while supporting employees. The consultation is due to close on 16 August, with the board expected to consider the proposal on 3 September.

Six male youths aged 13 to 17 were arrested and released on police bail after a suspected stolen car collided with a stationary vehicle and injured a Durham Constabulary officer in Sunderland. The officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was discharged from hospital. The incident led to a police cordon on Co-operative Terrace, which has since been removed, while Northumbria Police continue investigating and appeal for information.

A large police presence and cordon were reported on Cooperative Terrace off Chester Road in Sunderland, with officers from Northumbria Police and Durham Constabulary, including a dog support unit, attending. Northumbria Police later confirmed they were investigating a collision and said further information would follow.

Former geography teacher Neil Fatkin offers five recommendations for A-level results day: avoid panic and communicate with teachers and universities, consider remarks when marks are close to a grade boundary, seek impartial careers advice, stay positive and rested, and celebrate the end of school. Students who miss their offers may still have options including foundation years, alternative courses, apprenticeships and Clearing; academic results are important but do not determine their future.

Firefighters are tackling a second fire at Crowther Industrial Estate near Washington within 12 days. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service urged residents to keep windows and doors closed because of smoke in the area. The earlier blaze on July 31 involved eight fire appliances, and its cause remains unconfirmed. Sunderland Echo is awaiting further details from the fire service and Northumbria Police.

The UK Health Security Agency has upgraded the Heat Health Alert covering Sunderland, South Shields and surrounding areas from yellow to amber, effective until 9pm on August 14. Forecast temperatures are expected to reach 32°C on Thursday, with significant impacts likely for health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over or those with existing health conditions. Authorities also warn of increased demand for medical services, water-related incidents, overheating in homes and care settings, medicine-management difficulties and staffing and transport disruption.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow Heat Health Alert covering Sunderland, South Shields and the wider North East from 9am on August 11 until 9pm on August 14. Temperatures are forecast to reach 30°C in Sunderland and South Shields and up to 32°C inland. The agency warned of possible increased deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over or those with existing health conditions, along with greater pressure on health and social care services, risks from cold-water shock and drowning, and overheating in homes and care settings.

Northumbrian Water has created 13 network controller jobs at its Regional Control Centre in Washington, which monitors water networks around the clock and manages alarms, leaks, bursts and water flows. New recruit Cheryl Squires brings experience from police control rooms and housing, while the company says recruits from other high-pressure emergency-service roles will strengthen its customer service. The centre also took on wastewater network management responsibilities in 2025.

Tyne and Wear Metro services between Pelaw and Brockley Whins are suspended in both directions because of a points failure, disrupting journeys between Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead and South Shields. Nexus advises passengers to use designated Go North East and Stagecoach buses, while Northern Trains is accepting Metro tickets, passes and Pop cards between Sunderland, Heworth and Newcastle. Services remain in operation, though not to timetable, on other parts of the network.

Sunderland Restaurant Week will run from September 5 to 13, with about 50 eateries offering £10, £15, £20 and £25 deals and more venues expected to join. The event spans the City Centre and Seafront business improvement districts and includes new participants, Italian, Mediterranean, Asian and Indian restaurants, cafés, pubs and hotels. Some venues will provide healthy options through the Healthy Plates scheme, while Nexus is supporting the event with bus and Metro services. Vouchers and further details are available through the Sunderland BIDs website.

Sunderland Business Week will return from 12 to 16 October for its sixth year, with events across the city focused on entrepreneurship, business support, investment, education, skills and future industries. The flagship SunFest event on 15 October will feature entrepreneur and television personality Spencer Matthews, while the programme also includes civic and business leaders, the Delivering the Future City conference, founder and investor discussions, workforce sessions, enterprise education, and a school-led industry experience challenge. Sunderland Business Partnership is organizing the week, with further headline speakers expected to be announced.

Homes England has awarded £27.7 million from its Brownfield Infrastructure Land Fund to support infrastructure for more than 350 new homes at the Sheepfolds neighbourhood in Riverside Sunderland. The funding will help deliver roads, utilities and active-travel routes, building on the Keel Crossing project and supporting wider city-centre regeneration. A separate planning application by Vistry could raise the development’s total to more than 450 homes. Earlier plans for up to 600 homes faced objections from Sunderland AFC over potential impacts on the Stadium of Light, but a revised scheme with a larger buffer zone has reportedly addressed those concerns. The project also contributes to regional ambitions for new social and affordable housing.

The Fans Museum in Sunderland is organizing a family fundraising day featuring professional wrestling bouts by Colliery Community Wrestling on August 15 to help raise £18,000 for the Fans Hub’s participation in the Fans Inclusion Cup in Essen, Germany. The team will comprise disadvantaged adults facing challenges including unemployment, social isolation, mental health barriers and neurodiversity-related difficulties. Sunderland AFC FA Cup-winning captain Bobby Kerr is supporting the project and will join the trip, which organizers say will promote inclusion, confidence, friendship and international cultural connections.

Former Sunderland AFC professional development coach Leroy Lita has been charged with driving while disqualified and driving without third-party insurance. The charges relate to his arrest on the A1(M) near Wetherby on June 23, the same day he pleaded guilty to drink-driving at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court and received an 18-month driving ban, a £777 fine, a £311 victim surcharge and £300 in costs. Lita is due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court on August 10. Sunderland AFC has confirmed that he is no longer employed by the club.

A dark green snake estimated to be 50–60 centimetres long was seen at Diamond Hall Pocket Park in Sunderland’s Millfield area. Eyewitness Abdel Malik believes it may be an escaped pet, while animal rescue charity Richmond Exotics says it does not resemble common UK snakes and has so far been unable to locate it. The charity is urging residents not to hurt the animal, but instead to provide a photograph and exact location and contact the charity for a safe rescue and possible rehoming.

Sunderland supporters can enter a Foundation of Light raffle for the chance to win a 2026-27 home shirt signed by Régis Le Bris's first-team squad. Tickets cost £5, with entries open until the 15 August draw, and proceeds will support the charity's programmes in health, education, employability and inclusion across the North East. The new shirt pays tribute to Sunderland's 1937 FA Cup-winning strip.

Fifth-generation farmer Tania Coxon is seeking planning permission from Sunderland City Council for a £1 million Penshaw Padel facility at Offerton Grange Farm. The proposed development would include six double courts, a café, seating, parking and a mezzanine area overlooking Penshaw Monument. Coxon says falling farm size, rising agricultural costs, stagnant grain prices and government policy changes have made diversification essential to preserve the family farm. She expects the project to create up to 12 jobs, use local contractors and suppliers, and provide a community sports facility for schools, coaches and people of different ages.

Eight fire appliances attended a blaze at a commercial property on Washington’s Crowther Industrial Estate after emergency services received a high volume of calls about smoke visible from nearby major roads. Fire crews fought the fire for more than 12 hours and left the scene at 8:14am on August 1 after extinguishing it safely. Northumbria Police assisted with road closures and cordons, while residents were advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed. The cause of the fire remains unconfirmed.

Bridget Phillipson has defended disabling comments on her Facebook page, saying abusive, misleading and bot-generated posts made constructive engagement impossible. She pointed to other ways constituents can contact her, including Labour Party forms, surveys and community events. Sharon Hodgson has also withdrawn from Facebook and X, citing threats, poor moderation and the disproportionate abuse faced by women politicians. The article places their decisions within wider concerns about threats, violence and the security of MPs, including a suspected arson attack on Hodgson’s office and a review led by former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland.

Pawz for Thought is caring for more than 20 rabbits rescued by the RSPCA from a Tyne and Wear garden where 99 rabbits had multiplied through uncontrolled breeding. The animals, ranging from babies to eight years old, were removed during several June visits and distributed among rescue centres across the country. Many had ear mites and lived in poor conditions, though they were generally in reasonable health. RSPCA officers said the case demonstrates the importance of neutering rabbits, which can reproduce quickly and become overwhelming for owners.

Alex Robinson, 25, was sentenced to nine years in prison after attacking police officers with an axe in Murton on December 19, 2025. Officers had responded to reports that he assaulted his former partner; at his home he threw a wrench, fled after being tasered, and attacked officers’ vehicle windows with an axe. He was detained by a police dog after throwing the axe at armed officers. Robinson pleaded guilty to several offences and was convicted by a jury of two charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. A victim statement described the officer’s fear of being seriously injured or killed, while Detective Constable Hannah Dring highlighted the physical and psychological impact of assaults on police and their families.

Firefighters are tackling a factory blaze at Crowther Industrial Estate in Washington, with five appliances and an aerial ladder platform attending. Smoke is visible from nearby major roads, while police have cordoned off the estate entrance and blocked the road. Residents are advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed.

Sixteen friends will walk 45 miles overnight from Alnwick Castle to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light in memory of Leon Pattinson, who died by suicide in 2025 aged 25. Organized by his friend David Reed, the 100,000-steps fundraiser aims to establish a trust fund for Leon’s two-year-old daughter, August, while raising awareness of men’s mental health. A portion of the proceeds will support Andy’s Man Club, and further funds will be raised through a raffle and community event in Washington.

Calum Train, 62, has retired from Stagecoach after 26 years of service transporting passengers across Sunderland and South Tyneside. After starting at the South Shields depot in 2000, he transferred to Sunderland in 2019 and later became a driving instructor who helped train new bus drivers. Colleagues praised his work ethic, professionalism and support for both staff and customers. He plans to spend more time attending vintage-vehicle rallies, while also looking forward to his daughter Bethany’s wedding and pursuing his interest in Formula One.

Durham Constabulary has received the top Level One rating under HMICFRS’s new Police Performance System, indicating sustained progress and continuous improvement with no significant causes for concern. Chief Constable Rachel Bacon attributed the result to the work of officers and staff and cited investments in neighbourhood policing, call handling, professional standards and digital technology. Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen described the assessment as an endorsement of the force’s leadership, workforce and performance, while the constabulary was encouraged to share best practices with other forces.