Please see the below message regarding an incident that took place yesterday. We are requesting residents please check their CCTV cameras for any footage that has been captured that can assist with our ongoing investigation. Particularly residents who live on Newton Hall Estate between 1235hrs to 1435hrs on Wednesday 14/03/2024. If you have managed to capture any footage please contact PCSO 8370 Lawrence via Kirsty.Lawrence@durham.police.uk

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted vehicle theft after a pursuit in which a long-serving PCSO was assaulted while trying to apprehend the suspects.

Yesterday (13 March), members of the public reported two men on an off-road bike behaving suspiciously in a car park in Durham city centre around lunchtime.

Both men were wearing balaclavas and appeared to be attempting to steal a motorcycle from a car park near the Passport Office.

Officers responded and were on the scene within five minutes, but the pair fled on their vehicle across a footbridge near the Radisson Hotel.

Officers, supported by the police helicopter and drones, carried out a search and eventually tracked the suspect motorbike to woodland, near Finchale, where police vehicles resumed the pursuit.

Using his detailed local knowledge, a PCSO on foot tried to head off the most likely escape route near Canterbury Road and attempted to bring the motorbike to a halt and restrain the pair, pulling the balaclava off one suspect to identify him.

However, the officer was repeatedly punched and both suspects escaped on foot.

An 18-year-old local man was arrested nearby and taken to Durham City police station for questioning.

Inquiries to locate the second suspect and the motorcycle are continuing.

Inspector Dave Clarke, of Durham City Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “The PCSO who was assaulted while doing his duty is just a couple of days away from retirement after a 20-year career serving the public.

“Thankfully, he does not appear to have been seriously injured and his determination and diligence has led to an arrest of one suspect and provided positive intelligence to identify the second.

“I’d like to thank the members of the public who called this in so swiftly, because of their vigilance and our officers’ quick response we have been able to protect people’s property and make an arrest in this case.

“We have officers operating across the force to target antisocial use of off-road motorbikes and the theft of motor vehicles – the more intelligence we get from the community the more effective those teams will be."