Local News

The total number of reported Coronavirus cases in our area has once again shown a slight increase in the past 24 hours, according to official figures;

People planning to hold mass gatherings have been condemned as "desperately irresponsible" by a local MP and as "idiots" by another;

...and Police have issued a warning over potential nail traps being planted in wooded parts of our area.

The total number of reported Coronavirus cases in our area has once again shown a slight increase in the past 24 hours, according to official figures.

According to the latest figures published yesterday by Public Health England, there have now been 377 confirmed Coronavirus cases in Redcar and Cleveland, out of a local population of just under 137,000 people.

That compares to 376 cases yesterday.

There are currently 631 cases confirmed in Middlesbrough, that's another small increase, up from 630 cases yesterday.

People planning to hold mass gatherings have been condemned as "desperately irresponsible" by a local MP and as "idiots" by another.

The comments come after it emerged that a group was planning to hold mass-gatherings across the country tomorrow.

Events are understood to be planned for Preston Park in Stockton and South Gare beach in Redcar and organisers have encouraged people to bring picnics and music.

They encourage people to 'be a part of the largest mass gathering since the lockdown' and to bring picnics and music.

Simon Clarke, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said he was very angry to hear of plans for mass gatherings which he said "remain totally unacceptable".

It comes after flyers for the events, purportedly from the UK Freedom Movement, were circulated on social media, which read: "We say no to the coronavirus bill, no to mandatory vaccines, no to the new normal and no to the unlawful lockdown."

Mr Clarke also reminded the public that if you break the regulations, you can be arrested and you can be fined up to £3,200.

Police have issued a warning over potential nail traps being planted in wooded parts of our area.

At the beginning of May, officers were made aware of nail traps which were planted in wooded areas of East Cleveland, particularly Guisborough Woods and Margrove Ponds Nature Reserve.

Since then, the traps were removed but new information has come to light on social media suggesting that further nail traps have been planted in these locations again.

Officers are warning members of the public to be cautious when exercising in these areas as the nails traps could be extremely dangerous to people and animals and could cause serious harm.

Police would also like to make it clear that anyone who is caught planting the traps will be arrested and will be potentially left with a criminal record.

An officer has been tasked to liaise with the forestry commission to make them aware of the traps and police will patrol the affected areas in a bid to find those responsible.

Anyone with information regarding the traps or of the people responsible is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101