Consumer, crime and safety news

Two people have been fined for mis-using Blue Badges after parking in disabled bays on the same street in Hartlepool.

A County Durham man has been fined after dumping commercial waste outside the back of his home.

A man has been ordered to pay over £500 for failing to have suitable security staff in place at his two bars.

A County Durham man has been ordered to pay over £1,000 for failing to comply with the licensing conditions of his business.

A County Durham woman has been ordered to pay over £1,000 after counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco were found in her shop.

A County Durham builder has been jailed after he admitted carrying out a fraud which has left his victims tens of thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Measures to extend a ban on the consumption of alcohol in public spaces and tackle anti-social behaviour in Durham City will be discussed by councillors next week.

A Hartlepool man has been ordered to pay over £4,000 after he was caught flytipping at multiple locations in County Durham.

North East councils have teamed up with housing associations to raise awareness of the impact of unlawful renting.

County Durham residents are being urged to stand together against domestic violence ahead of this year's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

A series of projects are to be rolled out to ensure people in Durham City are as safe as they can be, following the success of a £100,000 funding bid.