Cleveland Police

The A19 Tees flyover has now reopened. Thank you for your patience.

*** Eston Cemetery Death – Man Named ***
Following formal identification which took place today, police are now able to name the man whose body was found in Eston Cemetery as Michael Cash, aged 32-years-old.
Michael sadly died on Wednesday 12th September and, following a post-mortem examination, his death is not being treated as suspicious.
... It is believed Michael was the victim of a previous incident of assault which resulted in him being covered with red paint. The incident occurred near to Tesco Express on the High Street Eston on Sunday 9th September.
Detective Inspector Matt Hollingsworth said: “My thoughts are with Michael’s friends and family at this difficult time.
“We are investigating the paint attack on Michael that occurred on Sunday 9th September outside Tesco and we are aware of the obvious feelings of outrage that this incident has caused within the community.
“This afternoon, a 33-year-old man has been interviewed voluntarily in connection with the assault and the investigation is still ongoing.
“I would appeal for anyone who directly witnessed anyone throwing paint on Michael that day to contact Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting 166668, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”
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The A19 Tees flyover is closed in both directions whilst police deal with an ongoing incident. Please use alternative routes. Thank you.

Police Pups Maggie & Alfie - yes holding a ball in the air is the only way to get them to sit still 🤣🐶🐶💙❤️

*** Death of Man Not Suspicious ***
The death of a man whose body was found in Eston Cemetery on Wednesday 12th September is not being treated as suspicious.
The man who is believed to be aged in his 30s has not yet been formally identified.
... A post-mortem examination has been held and although the death is not being treated as suspicious police believe this man was the victim of a previous incident of assault which resulted in the man being sprayed with red paint. The incident occurred near to Tesco Express on the High Street in Normanby and was reported to police on Sunday 9th September.
Detective Inspector Matt Hollingsworth said: “Police are aware of the speculation on social media regarding the cause of the man’s death but we are not linking the assault with his death.
“Officers are carrying out enquiries in relation to the assault outside of Tesco and would appeal for anyone with information or anyone who witnessed it to contact Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting 166668, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”
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*** Appeal after Giant Rabbits Killed in Stewart Park, Middlesbrough ***
Police are appealing for information after a report that three giant rabbits were killed by a group of males in Stewart Park, Middlesbrough.
The incident reportedly happened at around 11.30pm on Wednesday 12th September.
... A witness reported seeing a group of six males, aged around 14-16 years, who were walking a black and white dog, go into the rabbit enclosure and punch the rabbits.
The males are believed to have entered the park from The Grove entrance and they are believed to have been seen in the park before.
Anyone with information as to the identity of the males or anyone with further information is asked to contact PC Andrew Hampson on the non-emergency number 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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*** Missing Ethan Keenan, 15 and Tyla Keenan, 12, have both been located safe and well. Thanks to everyone who shared the appeal ***

Two Arrests in Alleged Robbery Inquiry (Portrack Lane, Stockton)
Officers investigating a report of a robbery which is alleged to have taken place at a cashpoint at the Post Office on Portrack Lane in Stockton have today arrested a man and a woman, both age 33, on suspicion of robbery.
They remain in police custody awaiting questioning and inquiries into the alleged incident are on-going. We would appeal for anyone with information to contact Cleveland Police via the 101 number, quoting Event 164679.

** Focus on rural crime in Cleveland **
A plan was launched this week to combat crime and fear of crime in Cleveland Police’s rural areas as part of a ‘Rural Week of Action’.
The Rural Policing Strategy 2018-21 was shared at the Tees Rural Crime Forum, chaired by Cleveland’s Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger.
... A covert Police operation, in partnership with neighbouring Forces, launched the ‘Rural Week of Action’ and saw more than 100 Stop Checks taking place and one arrest.
This week will see people being encouraged to sign up to Cleveland Connected’s ‘Rural Watch Scheme’ and drop-in sessions for free ‘Dot Peen’ property marking to deter theft.
Find out more here: https://bit.ly/2x38y0l
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Robbery at Coral Racing Ltd, Redhill Road, Stockton
Officers were called to Coral Racing Limited on Redhill Road in Stockton at 8.55pm last night (Monday 10th September).
On arrival, staff reported that a man armed with a small knife had threatened them and stolen cash before leaving on foot.
... No one was injured during the incident and inquiries are on-going today.
The suspect is described as a white male, in his 30s and wearing a blue coat with the hood up with a blue cap underneath and grey bottoms.
Anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have seen the suspect leave the premises is asked to contact DC Anthony Wraith of the Operational Crime Team via the 101 number. Please quote Event 167518.
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Police Confirm No Offences Following Searches in Pallister Park
Officers were in Pallister Park from late on Saturday night and all day Sunday after a member of the public reported concerns for a woman they had spoken with on Saturday night.
Although police did not receive any formal report of any crime in that location, an investigation began. This has now concluded and we are satisfied that no offence has occurred there.

*** Re-Appeal after Thefts from Vehicles in Ingleby Barwick ***
Police are re-appealing for the owners of suspected stolen property to come forward after a series of thefts from vehicles in the Ingleby Barwick area.
The incidents happened between midnight and 4.30am on Tuesday 14th August.
... Officers have already appealed for any CCTV footage which may assist their investigation, after a number of thefts occurred in the areas around Kenwood Crescent, Lullingstone Crescent, Broadlands, Hillbrook Crescent, Longleat Walk and Elishaw Green.
Police recovered suspected stolen property including a silver Dell laptop in a laptop bag, RayBan sunglasses, a Flip ultra video recorder, a dash cam and other items.
Four men aged 21, 26, 27 and 33 were arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle. They have been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.
Anyone with footage or information regarding the incidents is asked to contact Detective Constable Rachel Johnson or Detective Constable Julie Spring from Stockton Operational Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101, quoting event number 149269.
Independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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*** Appeal to Trace Witnesses to Collision Involving Combine Harvester ***
Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision involving a combine harvester and a white Landrover Freelander on the A19 southbound adjacent to Teesside Retail Park at around 3.40pm on Sunday 2nd September.
Officers believe that there was a family who stood with the driver of one of the vehicles and officers would ask these witnesses to come forward and speak with them as they may be able to assist... with enquiries.
No one involved suffered serious injuries.
The driver of the Landrover, a 45-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol. He was released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.
Any witnesses are asked to contact Temporary Sergeant Dom Croft from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit on the non-emergency number 101, quoting event number 162021.
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New Force-Wide Taxi Travel Initiative
Thirty to fifty five pounds. That’s how much some taxi drivers in the Cleveland area are losing on average in a week due to non-payment of fares.
Over four hundred instances of non-payment were reported to police in the 12 months to June 2018, though officers believe the actual figure could be even higher.
...Continue Reading

Prescription Drugs Amnesty Launched, Middlesbrough
A new initiative to prevent prescription drugs being sold on and misused launches in Middlesbrough today (Monday 10th September 2018).
Supplying prescription drugs is an offence under the Medicines Act and police are increasingly finding misuse of drugs like Tramadol and Zoplicone is a factor in many violent incidents they attend.
... Run by Cleveland Police, Middlesbrough Borough Council and local pharmacies, the scheme allows people to hand unwanted medication to many of the town’s chemists.
Posters advertising the scheme have already been placed in pharmacies and supermarkets and Cleveland’s Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger has also funded business card size reminders to be placed in every prescription bag to help people remember they should hand back unused or unwanted medication.
And GP surgeries have been asked to include supportive and enforcement information on repeat prescription slips, as well as displaying the posters.
PCC Barry Coppinger said: “I was delighted to provide funding to support this initiative which is the first of its kind to be run by the force.
“By removing these drugs from general circulation, we will be able to further protect our communities, as well as reduce strain on emergency services staff who routinely deal with the fallout from misuse of drugs.”
Neighbourhoods Inspector Dave Snaith added: “This is a good opportunity for anyone in possession of prescription drugs which are no longer needed to get rid of them with no questions asked.
“All too often officers see - and deal with - the adverse effects many prescription drugs can have on someone who’s got hold of them illicitly.”
Cllr Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “We are very happy to be supporting this initiative which provides people with an easy way of disposing safely and ethically of unneeded prescription drugs to prevent them falling into the wrong hands, which as we know have serious unwanted consequences for our communities, public services and public servants.”
Paul Jackson of Cohens Chemist said: “We are happy to be supporting the police with this amnesty and ensuring prescription drugs are disposed of safely.”
Anyone with information about the selling or misuse of prescription drugs is asked to contact Cleveland Police via the 101 number. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers via its website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phoning them on 0800 555 111.
Photo shows (L-R) Paul Keirney, Paul Jackson (both from Cohen's Chemist), PCC Barry Coppinger, Neighbourhoods PC Dan Smythe and Neighbourhoods Inspector Dave Snaith
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Tiredness can kill.
The driver of this vehicle had a lucky escape after he fell asleep at the wheel and collided with a parked tanker on the A174 last July.
Enquiries have now been concluded and whilst this has been an expensive lesson for the driver, he and the tanker driver were fortunate enough not to have been seriously hurt.
... Please always make sure you’re well rested before travelling, don’t take chances with people’s lives.
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Attempted Robbery Close to Ormesby Bank in Middlesbrough
Police are appealing for information after an attempted robbery occurred close to the roundabout on Ormesby Bank in Middlesbrough.
The incident occurred on Sunday 2nd September at 7:45am when a man approached the 26-year-old male victim, threatened him and asked him to empty his pockets.
... The victim ran away and nothing was taken. The suspect is described as wearing a burgundy jacket, blue tracksuit bottoms and he was with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact PC Neil Robinson on the non-emergency number 101 quoting 161794, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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*** Collision on Poole Roundabout in Middlesbrough ***
Police are appealing for information after a Citroen C4 and a cyclist collided at the Poole roundabout in Middlesbrough.
The incident occurred on Saturday 1st September at 3:40pm.
... As a result of the collision the 60-year-old female cyclist was taken to James Cook University Hospital where she was treated for a broken elbow.
Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage are asked to contact Acting Sergeant Dominic Croft from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit on the non-emergency number 101, quoting event number 161277.
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