Darlington Police

14/10/2026

A man who started a fire at a leisure complex has been jailed.

Raymond Coglan was captured on CCTV footage starting a fire in the underground bin area of the DL1 complex in Darlington on the evening of Friday, September 11.

Within minutes, smoke had engulfed the centre’s car park, forcing several businesses to evacuate, including Vue cinema and the Premier Inn hotel.

Firefighters were called to the scene to extinguish the blaze. Thankfully nobody sustained any injuries as a result of the incident.

Coglan left the area after starting the fire, but returned to the scene of the crime later that evening, where he was arrested by officers and taken into police custody.

The 42-year-old, of no fixed abode, was interviewed and charged with arson with recklessness as to whether life was engendered.

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Teesside Crown Court on Monday (October 12) and was jailed for three years and eight months.

Inspector David Littlefair, from Darlington Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “Coglan’s actions that evening were utterly reckless and posed a significant risk to the public.

“It was a Friday and the complex was busy with people enjoying their evening. Thankfully, nobody was injured during the incident, but this could have easily ended in tragedy.

“In police custody, Coglan showed absolutely no remorse for what he had done and refused to answer any questions.

“I hope he uses his time in prison to reflect on his actions, and the damage he could have caused.”

14/10/2026

🚗 DARLINGTON COLLEGE STUDENTS: A PARKING LESSON! 🚔

A quick appeal to those travelling to Darlington College and parking in the surrounding Central Park residential estate.

We’ve received concerns about vehicles being parked dangerously close to junctions, on corners and around bends, creating visibility issues for drivers and making it difficult to see approaching traffic.

This isn’t just inconsiderate parking. It can create a genuine safety risk for residents, other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. 👀

🏡 Please be considerate of the people who live in Central Park.

✅ Park legally and considerately.
✅ Keep corners, bends and junctions clear.
✅ Make sure your vehicle does not obstruct the road or restrict visibility.
✅ If there isn’t a safe, suitable space, find somewhere else to park.

⚖️ A word on the law: Section 99 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 provides powers for the removal of vehicles that are illegally, dangerously or obstructively parked. The circumstances of each case will determine what action can be taken.

👮 We will be carrying out spot checks in the area. Vehicles found to be dangerously or obstructively parked may be subject to enforcement action, and where the legal criteria are met, vehicles may be removed.

A few extra minutes finding a suitable parking space is far better than putting someone else at risk.

PLEASE help us keep Central Park safe for everyone!

13/10/2026

⚠️Police are appealing for information following an anti-social incident on the Number 8 bus from Darlington to Spennymoor last month.

The service began in Darlington at 11.50am on September 18 and officers want to speak to anyone who may have seen two men with dogs board the bus or any passengers who might have information that could assist their enquiries.

📲If you have any information, call 101 quoting incident reference number 215 of September 18 or contact PC Riddell at [email protected] or by calling 07929788400.

12/10/2026

👀 Have you seen Declan Bennett?

He is wanted in connection with numerous shoplifting offences in Darlington.

If you have seen him or know where he is, please don’t comment below.

Instead please call 101, contact [email protected] or report to us at www.durham.police.uk

11/10/2026

It's Sunday and time to give you all a taste of some activities your Neighbourhood Police Team have been involved in this week. Our role is varied and we sometimes can't show you everything we would like to, but here's a selection from community engagements, recovering stolen vehicles and actively targeting those that do harm to our communities. We hope you enjoy your week ahead and look forward to showing you more results next week.

09/10/2026

Do you recognise the furniture in this picture?

Officers are appealing for help in identifying the owner of this property as part of an ongoing investigation.

We’d like to reassure people that they are not suspected of any offences.

We know the image quality isn’t the best, but hope that someone may recognise the furniture, which is believed to be a bedside cabinet.

If it is your house, or you know whose house it is, please contact Sergeant Tom Whitfield by calling 101, followed by extension number 209363, or contact us online at www.durham.police.uk

08/10/2026

Tonight there will be pop up PACTs at the following locations:

📍 Wylam Avenue - At the entrance of the hill
⏰17:00pm - 18:00pm

📍 Redhall - Next to the community centre
⏰ 18:10pm - 19:10pm

Everyone is welcome 🚓 ☺️

08/10/2026

Can you help our colleagues at Cleveland Police find Curtis Farry? He is wanted in connection with allegations of two serious assaults and two burglaries.

He has links to the Darlington area.

Police continue to appeal to trace 18-year-old Curtis Farry, as our officers would like to speak with him in connection with allegations of two serious assaults and two burglaries.

Farry has links to both the Middlesbrough and the Darlington areas.

We would appeal for anyone who knows his current whereabouts - or for Farry himself - to get in touch with police.

👉🏻 Please contact us on 101 quoting reference number 157945 or if you’d rather not speak to police, information can be passed completely anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers via their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

07/10/2026

A resident from the Central Park area has located a small child's push bike 🏡 🚲

If you think it could belong to your child then please contact [email protected] with a description ✉️

Lets try get this bike home! 🤞🏡 ☺️

06/10/2026

Several bikes and illegal e-scooters seized in Darlington after being linked to anti-social and criminal behaviour have been destroyed as part of a special police operation aimed at making communities safer.

Officers were joined at the crushing operation in Shildon earlier today alongside Darlington Borough Council and Lola McEvoy - MP for Darlington demonstrating the joint commitment to tackling the nuisance, disruption and safety concerns caused by these vehicles.

The latest action saw more than 7⃣0️⃣ seized bikes crushed following concerns from residents about nuisance vehicles where you live.

Darlington Neighbourhood Inspector, David Littlefair said: “Antisocial and reckless driving brings misery to our community. We are doing everything we can to make our town as safe as possible and for those who are using bikes criminally and antisocially, we will hunt you down relentlessly and ensure those bikes are seized and you face the consequences.”