Consumer, crime and safety news

The Police and Crime Panel for County Durham has confirmed Jon Carling as Acting Chief Executive of the Office of the Police, Crime and Victims' Commissioner (OPCVC).

The installation of a new crossing on a busy Chester-le-Street road is set to help residents access shops and services safely.

Organisations across County Durham and Darlington are making a big noise this week in a campaign to raise awareness of hate crime.

Three people who misused Blue Badges to park illegally in disabled bays have been ordered to pay out a total of £600.

Two dedicated neighbourhood wardens have been appointed to patrol Durham City centre following concerns about the behaviour of a small group of troublemakers.

A landlord has been ordered to pay more than £700 for breaching the terms of a licence for a property in a designated selective licensing area.

A woman who was caught with hundreds of items of counterfeit clothing and footwear which she was selling on Facebook has been ordered to pay more than £2,500.

A builder who caused a couple to lose £33,000 through defective and incomplete work at their home has been ordered to compensate them in full.

Pigs living in slurry with only filthy water to drink and horses roaming in fields with sheep carcasses and dangerous debris - such were the sights that greeted inspectors at a County Durham smallholding.

Failing to provide information during a flytipping investigation has left one 25-year-old with a legal bill of almost £1,000.

Views are being sought on whether to introduce a special policy regarding the number of licensed premises in Durham City.

A County Durham shopkeeper found in possession of illicit tobacco worth thousands of pounds has been ordered to carry out 250 hours unpaid work.

Driving a taxi without a licence has cost a County Durham man more than £700.