Peterlee Police

18/08/2026

🚨 Vehicle Break-Ins In Peterlee – Please Stay Vigilant 🚨

We’ve had several reports of vehicles being broken into in the Peterlee area. We are urging anyone with CCTV or any information to please get in touch with us. If you have been a victim and not reported this, please do via 101 or our online reporting system.

If you have any CCTV, please contact Peterlee Police via the live chat on the Durham Constabulary website. Please use following link:

https://www.durham.police.uk/

Please take a moment to protect your vehicle and belongings.

🔒 Always lock your car, even if you’re only leaving it for a few minutes.
🚗 Don’t leave valuables or personal belongings visible inside your vehicle.
👜 Take bags, electronics and other items with you whenever possible.
👀 If you see anything suspicious, report it to the police and let others know.

A quick check before walking away could help prevent your vehicle from becoming a target. Please stay safe and look out for one another. 🙏

18/08/2026

PACT Meeting Update:

Thornley PACT meeting will be held on Thursday, August 20, at 6pm at House of Hope, Thornely.

Pop along and chat to your beat officers about any local issues. We look forward to seeing you there 👮‍♂️👮‍♀️

14/08/2026

A violent abuser who strangled a woman to the point of passing out has been jailed.

Stuart Benton left the woman fearing like she was going to die, and when she tried to ring 999, he grabbed her phone and smashed it.

In another incident, the 27-year-old pinned the woman down and stripped her clothes off before kicking and stamping on her.

Benton, of Peterlee, was arrested by police after the woman told her mother what had happened.

He was charged with controlling and coercive behaviour, two counts of sexual assault, and intentional strangulation.

Benton initially pleaded not guilty to the offences, but changed his plea to guilty on the day his trial was due to start.

He appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday (August 11) where he was jailed for six years and three months.

He was also handed an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the woman.

A spokesman from Peterlee CID, who led the investigation, said: “Benton is a violent and dangerous individual, who put the woman through unimaginable suffering and pain.

“We’d like to commend her for the strength she has shown throughout the investigation and subsequent court process.

“By standing up to Benton and having her voice heard, she has helped to take a dangerous man off the streets, who poses a clear risk to women and girls.”

13/08/2026

Job opportunity in Peterlee 🔌

For people who know their way around a vehicle, this could be your next move.

We’re recruiting for two roles within our Fleet team in Peterlee, supporting the vehicles and services that help keep our force moving.

🔌 Motor Vehicle Parts Technician

This role is all about keeping the workshop supplied and vehicles available. You’ll identify, order and issue vehicle parts, manage stock levels, arrange deliveries and work closely with technicians, supervisors and suppliers to make sure the right parts are in the right place at the right time.

🚓 Fleet Support Officer

You’ll help maintain accurate fleet records and support the smooth running of key fleet processes. From recording accident damage and fuel usage to liaising with insurers, assessors and colleagues, you’ll play an important part in keeping fleet information up to date and helping repairs and related services progress efficiently.

Interested? Find out more and apply today: www.durham.police.uk/police-forces/durham-constabulary/areas/careers/join-us/vacancies/

Applications close at 5pm on Friday, August 28.

11/08/2026

Thank you yo everyone who shared our appeal earlier today to find missing man Michael.

He has been found and is safe and well.

05/08/2026

“You were loved more than you will ever know.”

The heartbroken family of a teenage boy who died in a collision last Sunday (August 2) have today paid tribute to him.

Officers were called just before 7.15pm to a two-vehicle collision on Hesleden Road, near Blackhall Colliery.

It involved a Volkswagen Passat and a Citroen C3, which were travelling in opposite directions at the time of the incident.

The driver of the VW was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Today, he has been named as 19-year-old Lucas Littlefair, from Hesleden – a much-loved and treasured son, brother, grandson, and boyfriend.

In a statement, his family said: “Lucas, you have been cruelly snatched from us much too soon, a great hole has been left in your place and life can never be the same again without you.

“Rest in peace, Lucas - the only thing that can keep us going is knowing we will meet again. Lucas was loved more than he can ever know. We will never forget him or ever stop loving him, and will miss him dearly.

“Lucas had a passion for motorbikes and when he wasn’t at work he was always spending time with friends, family and his girlfriend.

“He brought so much happiness to all our lives and we have so many memories as a family that we will never forget.”

Three passengers who were in the VW, two boys aged 17 and a 17-year-old girl, were taken to hospital as a precaution before being discharged.

The driver of the Citroen, a 22-year-old woman, was also taken to hospital and discharged.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dashcam footage of the vehicles prior to the incident.

If you can help, please contact Durham Constabulary’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit by email at [email protected] quoting incident number 413 of August 2.

03/08/2026

A teenager has died following a collision yesterday evening.

Officers were called just before 7.15pm yesterday (August 2) to a two-vehicle collision on Hesleden Road, near Blackhall Colliery.

It involved a Volkswagen Passat and a Citroen C3, which were travelling in opposite directions at the time of the incident.

The driver of the VW, a 19-year-old man from Hesleden, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Three passengers, two boys aged 17 and a 17-year-old girl, were taken to hospital as a precaution. They have since been discharged.

The driver of the Citroen, a 22-year-old woman, was also taken to hospital but has since been discharged.

The road was closed while collision investigators worked at the scene, but has since reopened.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dashcam footage of the vehicles prior to the incident.

If you can help, please contact Durham Constabulary’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit by email at [email protected] quoting incident number 413 of August 2.

30/07/2026

This is the moment an axe-wielding attacker who assaulted two police officers was detained by a police dog.

Officers were called on the evening of December 19 last year following reports that Alex Robinson had assaulted his ex-partner at her home in Murton.

The caller told police Robinson was driving away from the scene, heading in the direction of his home in Station Road North.

Two officers attended his house where they found Robinson, who refused to comply, and threw a wrench at them.

Despite having been Tasered, the 25-year-old ran off towards the rear of the house before emerging from the garage carrying an axe and began chasing the officers.

The officers retreated to their marked police car where Robinson began smashing the windows and swinging the axe at the pair inside.

They managed to flee the area and fi****ms officers from the Roads and Armed Policing Unit were called to assist.

Robinson was located in a nearby shed, still carrying the axe, which he threw at the armed officers.

He was detained by a police dog and brought into custody, where he flooded his cell.

Following an investigation by Peterlee CID, Robinson, of Murton, was charged with several offences.

He pleaded guilty to possession of a blade or sharply pointed article in a public place, affray, criminal damage, and assaulting an emergency worker.

He denied two charges of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, but a jury found him guilty following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

He appeared back at court on Tuesday (July 28) where he was jailed for nine years.

In a victim impact statement, one of the officers said: “I have been a police officer for four years now and I come to work as I always have – to help people, safeguard members of the community, and ensure the safety of all members of the public and my colleagues.

“I have never felt more in fear for my life than when Robinson came at me with the axe while I was in the car. Never have I felt more sure that I was going to be hurt, or even killed, with the force that Robinson was hitting the axe off the car’s B pillar, exactly where my head was within the car.

“He then brought it to the passenger window where I was sat and continued to swing the axe at me, despite the window already being smashed, showing that this was not just to damage the car but me too.”

27/07/2026

Upcoming PACT meetings 🚔

Tuesday 28th July Peterlee Rugby Club Cuppa with a Coppa 10am

Wednesday 29th July Blackhall Parish offices 6pm

Thursday 6th August Trimdon Deaf Hill Community Centre 6pm

Thursday 13th August Wingate Community Centre for Wingate, Station Town and Hutton Henry 6pm

Thursday 13th August Horden Welfare Centre 6pm

Pop along and chat to your local beat officers about any local issues👮‍♀️👮‍♂️

22/07/2026

This is the moment two men cut down a Christmas tree and World War One memorial in a County Durham village.

The 22ft tree, in Shotton Colliery, was felled just hours after a ceremony to turn on the Christmas lights on December 10 last year.

The tree had been planted ten years ago following a fundraising effort in the village and stood as a monument to local soldiers who died in World War One.

Dylan McNamara used a bow saw to cut the tree down while his friend, Dominic Radcliffe, acted as a lookout.

Police were alerted to the incident, which happened at around 10.50pm, and an investigation launched, leading to the pair’s arrest.

During a search of McNamara’s partner’s house in Shotton, officers found a bow saw hidden behind the fridge freezer in the kitchen.

He and Radcliffe were both charged with criminal damage, which they admitted.

Appearing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Monday (July 20), 28-year-old Radcliffe was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for a year.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

At a court hearing last month, McNamara, 26, was given a ten-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

PC David Allan and PCSO Katie McKee, from Peterlee Neighbourhood Police Team, led the investigation.

💬 They said: “The tree was not only a festive decoration, but a longstanding symbol in the village of remembrance, unity, and respect for those who served.

“The felling of the tree caused significant hurt, upset, and disappointment among residents.

“For more than ten years, the tree had been a focal point during the Christmas period, bringing the community together – its destruction had a notable emotional impact on residents.

“Residents described feeling disrespected as this act has disrupted a cherished and meaningful space in the village, and had damaged the sense of safety and respect expected around a site of such importance.

“McNamara and Radcliffe showed absolutely no consideration for these residents when they committed this utterly mindless act of vandalism.

“We hope this case shows that behaviour like this will not be tolerated within our communities, and that action will be taken against those who commit such offences.”