Retrial ordered after no verdict in trial of Farm worker In alleged Cornwall rape

JURORS in the trial of a farmer worker accused of raping a student in Cornwall have been unable to record a verdict.

Police officers confronted by 'intoxicated' teens in Rural Bishop Auckland park

Durham Police are investigating after some of its officers were confronted by 50 ‘intoxicated’ youths at the end of last week after trying to confiscate alcohol from the teenagers.

Two suspects arrested after fuel theft at North East quarry

TWO suspected thieves accused of siphoning fuel from plant machinery at a quarry were arrested following a foot chase.

'Organised crime' affecting rural communities in Devon and Cornwall

Organised crime may be having an increasing impact on rural communities, according to police.

A new project will assess the effects of a rise in rural crime on farmers and their families in Devon and Cornwall.

Police and farmers join forces to tackle Melton's rural criminals

Farmers in the Melton area are being urged to report all criminal activity to help the county police force’s dedicated rural policing team tackle offenders.

Dorset Police launch new Rural Crime Team to help 'isolated areas'

The force has said going forward there will be a team of dedicated officers as part of the rural team across Dorset, including an inspector.

Wind-swept flame from barbecue caused Stoborough heath fire

STRONG winds caused a barbecue flame to reach a nearby hedge as fire officials disclose the cause and issue warnings after the latest heath fire in Wareham.

Men sentenced following ‘irreversible damage’ at historic site

Two Argyll men appeared at court following illegal metal detecting

Newquay beekeepers have hives with 400,000 bees stolen

A country estate is appealing for information after thieves stole 400,000 bees, leaving the owners devastated.

County Durham boy died after motorbike fall

A four-year-old boy died after falling from a motorbike he had been riding with his seven-year-old cousin, an inquest heard.

Bird flu: More reports of dead birds on North East beaches

BEACH-GOERS are continuing to find dead birds on the shore amid growing concerns about avian flu.

Damage caused to ancient Knowlton Church site

METAL detectorists have been slammed for damaging the grounds and potentially stealing artefacts from a historic 12th century Dorset church.

Man's body discovered in woodland in Poole

A MAN’S body has been found in woodland in Poole.

The discovery was made in woods near Gravel Hill just before 2pm on Tuesday.

Drone discovers two big cats being illegally kept in North Norfolk village

A Cromer resident has been convicted for illegally keeping two serval cats without a licence. The individual admitted to the offence of keeping dangerous and wild animals without authority of a licence, under Section 1 (1) of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act.

Investigation launched after series of fires in Denholme

POLICE and the fire service are investigating after a series of blazes in a village this morning.