A STRAY cat found with horrific injuries in a County Durham village is making a remarkable recovery in RSPCA care.

TWO men have admitted breaking into a converted former farm barn, but on the basis it is not classed as a “dwelling”.

Th court heard how a farmer in Alston was alerted to a burglary at his premises by members of a Facebook ‘Farmwatch’ group at 9pm on January 6, 2020.

AN abandoned vehicle was located on the B6286 adjacent to Cherry Tree Drive in Sunnybrow, County Durham, at approximately 12:40pm on March 11.

The trio were spotted making off on the farmer’s quad bike by a resident who called in the suspicious activity and followed the vehicle, giving RPU officers updates as they blue-lighted to the scene.

Rural insurer NFU Mutual's annual Rural Crime Report has revealed how the cost of rural theft in County Durham fell nearly 16 per cent to an estimated £365,000 in 2020 as Covid-19 restrictions, increased farm security and rural policing kept criminals out of the countryside

The court heard he caused suffering to dogs and horses by failing to explore and address the causes of the animals poor condition.

Over the last six months, an increase in anti-social behaviour has been seen in certain patches of the county – making homeowners worried to live in their own properties and residents not wanting to venture out into their towns and villages.

THERE has been a rise in criminal damage being caused to farm land, with reports of people setting dogs on wildlife and causing damage to crop fields.

POLICE officers are investigating after an off-road bike rider was left with serious injuries after colliding with two vehicles on the outskirts of Durham City at the end of last week.

STINKS and squeals from a pig farm are blighting people's lives, a planning meeting heard.

The new Section 59 signs act as an automatic warning, meaning anyone found driving illegally will have their vehicle seized and have already proved effective with nine illegal vehicles including quad bikes and off-road bikes being taken off the streets in the last week alone.

Officers just minutes into their shift apprehended three teenagers attempting to steal a motorbike in Bishop Auckland.

RED paint was thrown at a vehicle and windows in an act of vandalism against the property of a retired farmer.

THREE men have been ordered to pay out more than £4,500 in fines and costs following separate incidents of fly-tipping.