Mike Barton has been confirmed as new Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary. The appointment, proposed by Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg, was confirmed by the Durham Police and Crime Panel. Mr Barton, who has been temporary chief constable since last October, has been with the force since moving here from Lancashire...

By Martin Walker Police in Newton Aycliffe are on the hunt for thieves who forced their way into an unoccupied house before making off with a number of items. The incident happened between 6pm and 6.30pm on Monday (11th February), when unknown offenders have managed to force entry to an unoccupied house in Escomb Close. “Once there,...

The Newton Aycliffe woman at the centre of a £620,000 iPad scam was yet again remanded in custody when she appeared at the town’s Magistrates’ Court. The 36-year-old, of Hamsterley Road, Newton Aycliffe, faces five charges of fraud by false representation. The Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team reported on its Facebook page...

By Martin Walker Phil Wilson will host a special surgery in Newton Aycliffe on Saturday to help people who stand to be affected by the latest round of welfare cuts. The Labour MP for Sedgefield is bringing together experts from various fields, including Citizens Advice and housing associations, to offer welfare advice to residents in...

Colin McNeillie's gallery of action pictures from Newton Aycliffe's 2-1 defeat at home to Celtic Nation is below. Aycliffe lost their first game of 2013 to the Carlisle-based visitors at Moore Lane Park - click here to read our match report. ...

A tougher approach to suspected hoax callers in the region has led to a big fall in offences and cash savings worth thousands of pounds. The more robust approach to the issue came after staff from Durham Constabulary’s communications centre attended a 'problem solving' workshop in 2010. Those taking part were encouraged to think of...

A range of free activities are being made available at Active Aycliffe’s new Community Shop in the town centre. Free Family activities have been arranged for Saturday and Monday (16th and 18th February) at the new shop in between the Post Office and Leisure Centre. Go along between 10am-3pm and have a go at: · Cardio-tennis · Aqua...

Brodie Millichap picks out this week's TV highlights... Five Picks Of The Week Lewis: Monday 9pm, ITV1. The final episode ever of the popular crime drama sees Lewis and Hathaway investigating the body of a Korean student who went missing 15 years ago. Things take a turn for the worse though when a further two corpses turn...

By Ryan Gillham Durham Wildcats claimed a vital victory and completed a league double over the London Lions with an 89-84 triumph at the Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre. It was the Wildcats who took the lead early in the opening stanza with Keith Page and Brad Guinane claiming the first baskets but it didn’t take long for the visitors...

A man has been arrested and charged for shoplifting from Newton Aycliffe’s Poundstretcher store. The Aycliffe Neighbourhood Police Team reported on its Facebook page that a male was arrested for shoplifting at Poundstretchers, Beveridge Way, on Saturday (9th February) after he took about £45-worth of household goods. He admitted the...