Local News

Police are appealing for information after an attempted robbery at a shop in Grangetown at the weekend;

Class A drugs and stolen vehicles have been recovered in the latest police crackdown on the troubled Hemlington estate;

...and Police are reminding vehicle owners in the Normanby area to secure their vehicles and remove any items of value after reports of thefts from motor vehicles in the area over the weekend.

Police are appealing for information after an attempted robbery at a shop in Grangetown at the weekend.

A man entered the McColl's store on Birchington Avenue just before 10pm on Saturday and threatened staff with a firearm or imitation firearm and demanded money.

He left empty handed after staff refused and raised the alarm.

He was on a black pedal cycle and rode off towards The Broadway.

No-one was injured during the incident.

The suspect is described as wearing all dark clothing and he had his face covered.

Inquiries are on-going and police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on the non-emergency number 101.

Class A drugs and stolen vehicles have been recovered in the latest police crackdown on the troubled Hemlington estate.

Cleveland Police launched Operation Fortress in late February to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Hemlington area. Police are working with Middlesbrough Council, Cleveland Fire Brigade and Thirteen Housing in a bid to reduce some of the area's high crime rates.

One of the operation's notable achievements included the seizure of 100 wraps of class A drugs which were recovered from one individual.

Specialist teams have had a number of other successes, including 37 arrests, antisocial behaviour warnings, the seizing of thousands of pounds worth of suspected drugs and the recovery of a number of weapons.

Police are reminding vehicle owners in the Normanby area to secure their vehicles and remove any items of value after reports of thefts from motor vehicles in the area over the weekend.

Officers received reports of incidents around 11:40pm on Saturday on Rosewood Close and around 5:45am yesterday on West Wood Drive, where items including keys and a holdall were reportedly stolen from vehicles.

Police believe a number of suspects had been trying car door handles in the area around Guildford Road around 5:40am yesterday morning.

Cleveland Police Crime Prevention Team are advising motorists that all valuables are kept out of view or removed from vehicles and glove boxes can be left open and parcel shelves removed to clearly show that there are no valuables in the vehicle.