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Police investigating incidents of indecent exposure in Northumberland have released an image of a man they want to trace. The incidents took place last week in Seghill, Seaton Delaval, Seaton Sluice and Bedlington Station areas. Officers have an image following an incident on Tuesday, March 28, at 3.30pm at Elsdon Avenue, Seaton Delaval. The man pictured was in the area at the time and may have information that could help with the enquiry. Officers are carrying out enquiries into these incidents and are appealing for the man pictured to get in contact. The man or anyone who recognises him is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 767 280317 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for information following four incidents of indecent exposure in the Seghill, Seaton Delaval, Seaton Sluice and Bedlington Station areas of Northumberland. The first incident happened at 3.51pm on Tuesday, March 28, on Elsdon Avenue, Seaton Delaval, where a man exposed himself to two girls aged 14 on their way home from school. The second incident occured the same day in the park at Deneside, Seghill at around 3.30pm. A man is alleged to have exposed himself to another 14 year old girl walking home from school. The third incident occurred on Wednesday, March 29, at 5.30pm near to the bowling green between Collywell Bay Road and Beresford Road in Seaton Sluice. A male matching the description from the previous day again exposed himself to a 15 year old girl. The fourth incident occurred in a park on Bank Top in Bedlington Station at 7.15pm on Wednesday, March 29 . The same male is again alleged to have exposed himself to young girls in the park. The man is described as wearing a red or maroon jumper or jacket and aged around 60. None of the victims were harmed but have been left shaken by the offence. Officers are carrying out enquiries and believe that the same person could be responsible for all incidents. Anyone who has information that may help is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 767 280317 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Neighbourhood officers in Bedlington are lending their support to the NSPCC's Big Board game charity fundraiser on Friday March 31. They are urging others to get on board and shake a dice all in aid of a great cause. PC Mark Adamson and his team are visiting care homes in the area this week and asking older residents to get their favourite board games out of the cupboard and spend a few hours playing and raising funds. The NSPCC is the leading children's charity fighting to end child abuse. The charity helps children who have been abused to rebuild their lives, protects those at risk and works to prevent abuse. PC Adamson said: "We've got some great contacts with people of all ages and we regularly pop in to visit older people in the community with crime prevention and other advice. It's good to call in have a chat and encourage people to take part in a worthwhile event which helps others. "It's also a good way to get to know people and engage with them in a positive way too." PC Adamson is also encouraging his colleagues to get involved in joining in during their meal breaks to support the cause. NSPCC Director of Fundraising, Nigel Spencer, said: “Big Board Game Day has become an annual highlight for us with thousands of people across the UK temporarily downing tools to play their favourite games with friends, family, work colleagues and classmates. “We are delighted that so many ‘gamers’ will be involved again this year and urge anyone who is interested in participating on Friday (March 31) to download our free fundraising pack ASAP. “We are exceptionally grateful for all the donations that will be made, no matter how big or small. Every penny raised will be put towards protecting children and young people from abuse and helping those who have fallen victim to get their life back on track.” Anyone who want to support the charity and make a donation can go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/NorthumberlandNPT Follow Bedlington Neighbourhood team on Twitter https://twitter.com/bedlingtonpol

A man has been charged after a spate of robberies in Newcastle Between Thursday evening and Sunday morning police received a number of reports that taxi drivers had been robbed in the Walker area of the city. An investigation was launched to identify those responsible and patrols were put in place to safeguard drivers in the city. On Sunday evening (12/3) police arrested a man in connection with the incidents. And now officers have charged a 21-year-old Newcastle man with ten different offences including four counts of robbery and an attempted robbery. He will appear before South East Northumberland Magistrates Court in Bedlington this morning (Tuesday). Anyone who witnessed a robbery in the Walker area over the weekend, or has any information that may help police, should contact officers on 101 quoting log 486 13/03/17 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Children from local schools enjoyed half term fun at Bedlington Police Station recently. Some 20 youngsters from the Church of England Academy including Josephine Butler, James Knott and Thomas Bewick schools came along for a tour of the station, cell complex and to learn more about policing. The visit was hosted by Wansbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team who created a special crime scene especially for the young would-be detectives. The children got involved by investigating a burglary and learned how real detectives investigate crime. They visited a burglary scene which was laid on for them, spoke to a witness and followed clues to identify forensic evidence which led to them arresting the offender! They continued through the custody process and locked the burglar in a cell before learning some interview techniques from the officers before charging him with the crime. Neighbourhood officers were joined at the event by specialist support officers, firearms officers who are trained to engage with members of the public and make them feel safe, and by friendly police dog Monty. Wansbeck Neighbourhood Inspector Sue Fryer said: "We're keen to build on the strong links we have built up between schools and the neighbourhood team in Wansbeck. Bringing the children into the police station is not only great fun for them, but gives them a real insight into the policing world and teaches them how the police work. "It's important to us that children get to know local officers and by doing so we can continue to build trust between local youngsters and our policing teams. "We will continue to give more children the opportunity to take part in these visits throughout school holiday period in Wansbeck and Morpeth arranged via local schools." Pictured children from the Church of England Academy schools of Wansbeck during their recent police station visit.

Youngsters paid a visit to Bedlington police station recently to find out more about the work of officers. The youngsters aged 9 to 11 years were pupils from several Ashington schools. The children were invited along by Ashington Neighbourhood Policing Team to take a look behind the scenes of a busy working police station. As well as the tour and a visit to custody they took part in crime scene investigation to find out who had committed a crime staged for them. They also got to meet a firearms officer and members from the force dog section as well. Police Community Support Officer Alan Bunker, who showed the group around during their visit, said: "The children had a great time looking around the station and meeting officers. They were very interested in our work and asked lots of questions about what we do. "They particularly enjoyed dressing up in police uniforms and having a look in the police van. "After this visit I think we may have a few budding recruits in the years to come." He added: "It's important to us that people of all ages feel they can come and talk to us about what we do and how we help the public." Children pictured during their visit to Bedlington Police Station with left to right, PC Kath Smith, PC Chris Turnbull and PCSO Alan Bunker

Four men have been charged in relation to an incident at the Fosse Hotel Pub in Newcastle last year. Around 4.20pm on Thursday, December 8, a group of 12 masked men in a white van attacked a man who was standing outside of the Fosse Hotel pub on the Fossway. They were armed with bats, metal bars, hatchets, knives and ammonia and left the victim hospitalised with a fractured skull and stab wounds. A female bystander was also injured by being squirted with ammonia and needed hospital treatment. Enquiries into the incident have been ongoing since the incident and two men were charged in connection with it at the end of last year. Now police charged a further four people - aged 26, 29, 31 and 33 - in connection with the incident. The 26-year-old appeared before Bedlington Magistrates Court on Wednesday, March 1, and was remanded in custody to appear before crown court on March 30. The other three men have been released on abil to appear before Newcastle Magistrates Court on April 7.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Bedlington.. It happened at Northumberland County Council premises, East View in Choppington overnight between 6pm on Wednesday, March 1 and 6.30am on Thursday, March 2. Offenders forced entry to the secure council compound via a rear fence. They damaged the window of a Ford Transit vehicle and stole a hydraulic breaker and leaf blower/strimmer and stihl saw before leaving unseen. Police are appealing for witnesses, anyone who was in the area and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, is asked to contact police. Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 156 of 02/03/17 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary in Bedlington. It happened at an address in Barnard Close on Friday, February 24 at 5.45pm. A rear door of the address was opened by an unknown person, the householder called out and found they had left empty handed. Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 020360K/17 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Two men have been convicted of fraud offences after targeting vulnerable victims. The men both from Northumberland, Jimmy Nicholson, 25, from Lynemouth, and Andrew Kane, 22, of North View in Cambois were sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, February 20. Nicholson was jailed for 16 months and Kane handed a 18 month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work, for his part in the fraud which targeted elderly and vulnerable householders. The pair were convicted after pleading guilty, Nicholson admitted two counts of making false representation, two counts of theft and one of fraud. Kane pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false representation. The offences related to four victims via Nicholson’s businesses Oakland Tree Services and Woodland Tree Services and Driveway Cleaning. In one case which happened in Bedlington between July 11 - 23, in 2014, Nicholson carried out extra block paving work at the home of a vulnerable 78-year-old woman in Bedlington assisted by Kane. He charged the woman in excess of £13,800 for work later reviewed by an expert witness who found it to be inadequate, and would only have been worth £2,800 (not including VAT) if carried out correctly. On four occasions Nicholson drove this elderly resident in his van to the bank so she could withdraw cash for him totalling £13,800. He was helped in this business by Kane who on one occasion walked the victim to the bank doors in Ashington and waited to walk her back to the van. The fraud was uncovered when the elderly resident was ill in hospital and her daughter found large and unaccounted for cash withdrawals and reported the matter to the police. The other offences occurred in Blyth, Hazelrigg and Winlaton. DC Peter Kennedy said: "Nicholson preyed on the elderly and vulnerable who were trusting and acted in a calculated way overcharging people for inadequate work, fleecing them of their hard earned savings. "These men clearly targeted vulnerable people and there may be other victims out there who haven't realised they have been a victim. I would urge anyone who recognises these men and believe may have also have fallen victim to them to contact police. "We want to remind people to make sure you make the necessary checks of anyone who comes to your door asking for money, offering to carry out work or finding any reason to gain access to your house. Any genuine caller or salesperson will be happy to show you ID and return at a later date once you have been able to check their authenticity. "I would also ask people with elderly or vulnerable family, friends and neighbours to make sure they are aware there are people calling door to door who may not be who they claim to be and if they are in any doubt they should ring police straightaway." Pictured; Jimmy Nicholson and Andrew Kane

Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident in Bedlington. It happened on Saturday February 4, between 9.45pm and 10pm, outside Breakers Bar on Front Street West in Bedlington. A 55-year-old man was found with facial injuries after it is believed he was assaulted and taken to Northumbria Hospital where he was released following treatment. Police are appealing for witnesses, anyone who was in the area and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, is asked to contact police. Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 1207 of 04/02/17 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police investigating a traffic incident are appealing for help from the public. It happened on the Spine Road in Bedlington at Furnace Bank slip at 11.56pm on Tuesday, January 10. Two detectives and two members of the public were in an unmarked Corsa police car and officers were driving along the road when there was an incident in the vehicle, and the car skidded towards a pedestrian. The car narrowly missed the man who was walking along the grass verge who then continued walking on his way. The police vehicle stopped and two passengers, two male members of the public who were in the police vehicle, got out of the car and ran off. A short time later both men were found by officers. No one was injured during the incident. Police want to trace the male pedestrian who was walking along the grass verge at the time, he would have been startled by the incident and officers want to check on his well-being. Police also want to speak to him as he may have witnessed the incident. A 37-year-old man has been arrested and charged with causing a danger to road users by interfering with a motor vehicle and appeared before Northumberland Magistrates' Court on January 11. Enquiries are ongoing. This pedestrian, and any other witnesses, are asked to call police on 101, quoting reference number 1202 of 10/01/17.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery at an address in Bedlington. It happened at 1.20pm on Sunday, January 8, at a house in Centurian Way in Northumberland. Three men wearing masks entered the house via the rear door. They threatened the householder, an elderly man, and held him down, and searched the house. They stole jewellery including a gold necklace featuring a Krugerrand coin encrusted with diamonds around the edge set on a gold chain and a gold charm bracelet with charms one of which was a gold padlock. The offenders then left in a black coloured VW Golf saloon car. The householder was shocked and was taken to NSEC Hospital in Cramlington as a precaution. Officers have been carrying out house to house enquiries in the area and are appealing for witnesses. Neighbourhood Acting Inspector Garry Neill said: "We want to hear from anyone who was in the area of Centurian Way at the time of the offence and who may have seen or heard anything which could help officers. This type of incident is unusual and we have extra offices in the area to speak to residents and answer any concerns they may have. "We have an image of the car believed to have been used by the offenders driving away after the robbery and are appealing for help from the public in locating the offenders and the vehicle." Police are appealing for witnesses, anyone who was in the area and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, is asked to contact police. Officers also want to speak to anyone who knows the whereabouts of the offenders and the vehicle they used, or who may be offered the stolen jewellery for sale. Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 469 of 08/01/17 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Pictured, the vehicle police want to trace

Police are reminding residents to be on their guard to bogus callers after a recent incident in Bedlington. A 60-year-old woman answered a call to her front door in the Shields Road area of Bedlington at 8.30pm on Wednesday, January 4. A man and a woman said they were lost and needed a taxi. The householder invited the couple into their home and then gave them a lift. When they returned home she found that jewellery and other items had been stolen. Police were called and following enquiries a 30 year-old woman and 40-year-old man have been arrested and charged with burglary offences. Acting Inspector Gary Neill said: "We want to remind residents to be cautious to anyone knocking at the door unannounced. "Our advice is never invite someone who cold calls into your home - no matter how genuine they seem. "I would also ask people with elderly or vulnerable family, friends and neighbours to make sure they are aware there are people calling door to door who may not be who they claim to be and if they are in any doubt they should ring 999." Anyone who would like further advice should call police on 101.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a window was broken at an address in Bedlington. It happened at Cornwell Crescent overnight between 5pm on Wednesday, 4 January and 9am on Thursday, 5 January. A rock was thrown at an upstairs window causing the glass to break. The offender made off unseen. Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 1578N/17 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a vehicle was broken into in Bedlington. It happened at 4.45pm on Saturday, December 31, to a truck parked in the back lane of Rothesay Terrace. Offenders approached the vehicle, gained entry and stole a 2HP outboard motor, chainsaw, grass strimmer and a hedge trimmer, before making off unseen. Police are appealing for witnesses, anyone who was in the area and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, is asked to contact police. Officers also want to hear from anyone who may be offered these items for sale. Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 672 of 01/01/17 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team in Bedlington opened the doors to their police station this week - and handed over their handcuffs to a group of local school children. Children aged between 6-years-old and 12-years-old donned high vis jackets and riot shields as they got a taste of what life is like as an officer at Northumbria Police. They got to chat to their local bobbies and officers from Blyth Neighbourhood Policing Team who talked about all the work they do to keep our streets safe. The children were also able to catch a glimpse of the officer's briefing room, the 24/7 parade room and the home of some of the region's expert detectives in the Crime Investigation Department. Their access-all-areas tour came to an end at to the custody cells where they got the chance to make their first "arrest" - and book PC Scott Legge into custody. To reward them for their police work all of the children were presented with special certificates before getting a chance to look inside the police cars and arrest vans. PC Legge, who helped to organise the event, said: "The children had a great time and really enjoyed their visit. They were very curious about what happens inside the police station and couldn't wait to try on the uniforms and get stuck in. It’s an excellent way for us to show the children that we’re here whenever they need help. "It was also good to share this on social media to show more people about what we do. This sort of event really helps to break down barriers and gives people an insight into how we work to help the community." To show the wider community what was happening officers live streamed part of the visit on the Northumbria Police Facebook page. It reached a whopping 100,000 people and resulted in a huge number of positive comments from people near and far.

Police are reminding motorists to keep their vehicles locked and to remove all valuables when they park. The advice comes after thieves got into an unlocked car parked on a driveway in The Wynding in Bedlington. It happened overnight, between 9pm on Monday, 19 and 7.30am, on Tuesday 20, December. Thieves searched the car and opened Christmas cards looking for cash. They made off empty handed. Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 188 of 20/12/16 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident of criminal damage in Bedlington. It happened at an address in Victoria Terrace in the Northumberland town at 6.31am on Friday, December 2. An offender threw a brick at the window of the downstairs living room, causing it to smash, before making off unseen. Police are appealing for anyone with information to call police on 101, quoting reference number 112284N/16 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police investigating an incident in which a police officer was injured in a collision in Blyth, have charged a man. The incident happened around 10.20pm on Sunday, October 16, on Bridge Street. A 21-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, assaulting a police constable, no insurance and failing to stop after an accident. He is due to appear before Bedlington Magistrates Court on November 3. (Initial information 17/10/16 at 11.04am) Police officer injured in collision Police are appealing for witnesses after a police officer in Blyth was injured after being in a collision with a car. It happened around 10.20pm on Sunday, October 16, the officer was on foot on Bridge Street in Blyth when he was involved in a collision with a black Ford Focus. The male officer has not suffered any serious injuries but was taken to hospital by paramedics for treatment to a leg injury and later released. The Ford Focus did not stop following the accident and a short time later a 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and is currently detained in custody. Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference number 1146 of 16/10/16.

A Northumberland man has been charged with rape. Munawar Hussain, who is 40 and from Ashington has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration. The charges are in relation to an incident that happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning in the North Seaton area. He will appear at Bedlington Magistrates Court court on June 23. View the full news release

Police are appealing for witnesses following a theft of lead in Northumberland. It happened at Big Mamas on Palace Road in Bedlington Station between 00.00hours, the early hours of Thursday, June 2, and 1.55pm on Wednesday, June 8. Offenders damaged roof tiles and stole a quantity of lead from the roof of the premises. This was discovered when the roof began leaking after it rained, causing considerable damage to the premises. Police are appealing for witnesses, anyone who was in the area and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious is asked to contact police, also anyone who may be offered the lead for sale is asked to speak to officers. Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting reference number 572 0806/16 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. View the full news release

Police are appealing for information after a taxi driver was assaulted in Bedlington. Around 1am on Sunday, April 17, a man assaulted a taxi driver at the BP garage in Station Road. The taxi driver had picked the man and woman up from the Bigg Market area in Newcastle and taken them to Bedlington. They stopped at the BP garage for the couple to use the cash point however when there the man pushed the taxi driver before making a number of racist comments aimed towards him. The couple then walked off towards Waverley Court. Anyone with any information into the incident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 85 17/04/16. View the full news release

Police are appealing for witnesses after a one vehicle fatal collision in Ashington. At around 7.25pm on Wednesday, April 13, a blue Vauxhall Corsa came off the road on the A196 near South Farm, Choppington. Emergency Services attended and a 17-year-old man who was a passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene. Two men aged 17 were taken to hospital for treatment. Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening. The driver of the car, an 18-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody. A section of the A196 was closed for several hours to allow for collision investigation to take place. Enquiries are on-going into the incident and officers want to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the collision and who saw what happened to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 901 13/04/16. We are not in a position to name the man who died in the collision at this time. View the full news release

Police investigating an arson in Bedlington are releasing CCTV footage of the incident. It happened between 11.50pm on Thursday, March 17 and 12.10am on Friday, March 18 when two cars parked on Knox Road were set alight. Enquiries are ongoing and police are releasing CCTV footage of a man they want to identify and speak to about the incident. Neighbourhood Inspector, Trevor Oakley, said: "Fires of this type can be very dangerous and it is fortunate that no one was injured, particularity residents living near to the parked cars. "We recognise that this will have caused concern for people and we want to reassure residents that we will not tolerate this type of crime. "We are appealing for help from the community and anyone who may have spotted suspicious activity around the time of the fire should contact us to help find the person responsible. "Anyone who believes they may have information to assist with the investigation should contact police straight away." Anyone who recognises the man is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 20 18/03/16 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. View the full news release