Consumer, crime and safety news

People are being urged to be aware of social media posts claiming a new dentist is opening with NHS places in Shildon.

A County Durham shop has been forced to close for three months after thousands of pounds worth of illegal cigarettes, vapes and tobacco were discovered on the premises.

A rogue roofer has been ordered to repay over £3,500 for failing to complete work for two customers.

A man who was caught on CCTV flytipping three times in 89 minutes has been left more than £2,600 worse off.

A County Durham takeaway owner has been fined nearly £5,000 after flytipping two freezers behind his shop.

Durham City's CCTV network has undergone a major upgrade thanks to funding from the Home Office's Safer Streets Fund.

The owners of Lebaneat have been ordered to pay over £28,000 after being found guilty of allergen contamination which resulted in a customer being sent to hospital.

New proposals to control anti-social behaviour in Durham City have been given the green light.

An unlicensed landlord who failed to carry out repairs to one of his properties, resulting in a family of eight living in damp and unsafe conditions, has been ordered to pay out more than £3,000 in court fines and charges for breaching legislation.

Proposals to control anti-social behaviour in Durham City could move a step closer next week following the outcome of a consultation.

The leaders of the region's seven local authorities of Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland, have joined North East Mayor Kim McGuinness in issuing a joint statement to reassure the public that plans are in place to keep communities safe, and that the North East remains open for business ahead of planned demonstrations at the weekend. 

As you may already have seen, Durham Constabulary's dispersal orders for Durham City, Bishop Auckland and Crook have so far been successful.