Inspector Sarah Honeyman said officers are doing all they can to tackle the problem as new figures emerged showing Durham Constabulary has the lowest level of knife crime of any county force in the country. Data released by the Home Office shows that in the 12 months ending in September 2020, there were 150 recorded offences in Durham...

In the midst of another coronavirus lockdown, adaptability is crucial. Being adaptable means you’re better able to handle any changes in your life, support your colleagues and  managing the impact of this crisis. Here are five characteristics of people with high levels of ‘adaptability’. How many can you see in yourself? 1...

Four police officers who have earned their stripes as Durham’s newest sergeants have been congratulated by chief constable Jo Farrell. A total of 22 officers passed the force’s rigorous February promotion boards and, on this occasion, ten of the successful candidates were women. Four of the newly-appointed sergeants joined Jo at the...

“Cobots are technological marvels”, says Tony Thompson, managing director of ALM Engineering Solutions. “They’re revolutionising the manufacturing process.” Collaborative robots – or ‘cobots’ – are, indeed, having a huge impact on the manufacturing sector and are increasingly working peacefully side-by-side with their...

Newton Aycliffe captain Aaron Brown says the call to scrap the current Northern League is frustrating, but not surprising. The FA confirmed on Wednesday to curtail the 2020-21 season at Steps 3 to 6 including the Ebac Northern League Division One, with Aycliffe finishing fifth in the table. The Northern League season has been suspended...

Hitachi Rail’s investment at its Newton Aycliffe factory – which now totals £110m – sees new facilities completed, allowing welding and painting to start on brand new UK passenger trains. New welding and painting facilities will be used to build the next generation of intercity trains for East Midlands Railway and Avanti West...

A charity that works with blind and partially sighted residents in County Durham will be able to offer extra support through an Area Action Partnership (AAP) funding grant. Durham County Council’s 3 Towns Partnership has awarded £5,159 of its area budget to Blind Life in Durham. The organisation is a pro-active group of blind and...

Teesport is a gateway to the world for many Aycliffe manufacturers. The port is run by PD Ports – and its CEO, Frans Calje, reflects on the lessons of the past as he plots a prosperous long-term future for the business, in an exclusive interview with Peter Barron… Before he begins discussing the future, Frans Calje is keen to look back to...

Science-based technology firm 3M is funding a Reading at Home scheme for pupils at a local school to help the children to continue to enjoy reading, supporting their learning and wellbeing. Each pupil from Red Hall Primary School in Darlington will receive two books appropriate for their age as part of the initiative. 3M is working with the...

The Tees region was one of just eight locations to be selected as a freeport zone during Rishi Sunak’s 2021 budget. The chancellor said freeports – “special economic zones with different rules to make it easier and cheaper to do business” – will be located at East Midlands Airport, Felixstowe and Harwich, the Humber region, the...