Darlington Police

15/06/2026

A pensioner who tried to murder his wife while she slept has been jailed for more than eight years.

Colin Finch repeatedly stabbed his partner of more than 33 years at their home in Darlington in March this year.

The woman had been asleep when she awoke to 78-year-old Finch attacking her with a knife.

After stabbing her five times, he waited around half an hour before calling an ambulance, telling the operator he had “tried to kill” his wife.

She was rushed to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where she underwent emergency surgery to save her life.

Finch was arrested at the scene and later charged with attempted murder, which he admitted.

He appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday (June 10) where he was jailed for eight years and eight months.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said: “What Colin has done has broken our family. He has ruined his life as well as mine.

“When Colin was stabbing me, all I could think of was: “Why, why was he doing this? I thought he loved me.” I had no idea what was going to happen.

“Before Colin did what he did, I was recovering from an operation. I did need some assistance, but I was able to get out and about and do some things for myself.

“However, since this incident I have been bedbound and require daily assistance just to live. I no longer have any mobility and have been in hospital ever since.

“My injuries will heal and my scars will fade, but the memory will always be there. I now have to learn to live with a broken heart.”

14/06/2026

👊🚓 BEAT IT!🚓👊

Here is this week's quick update from Darlington Neighbourhood Policing Team

14/06/2026

🎉 School’s out!

As you celebrate with friends over the coming days and weeks, make sure the memories you create are ones you’re proud of.

If you’re heading to a river, lake, or any body of water, stay alert and look out for each other. Water can be dangerous, especially when risks are taken. We’ve seen multiple incidents across the country of people getting into difficulties recently.

🔞 Remember that alcohol can lower your inhibitions, affect your judgement, and increase the chance of accidents and injuries. It is illegal to supply anyone under 18 with alcohol. The same applies to vapes and to***co products.

If your child is deemed intoxicated by officers, they will be brought to a safe place and parents will be contacted to pick them up.

Stick together, stay aware of your surroundings, and plan how you’ll get home safely.

Have fun, look after your friends, and enjoy the start of your summer!

🗣️ Parents, please take the time to talk this through with your teens. It’s not about stopping the fun; it’s about helping them stay safe and make the right choices.

We will be conducting dedicated patrols alongside our partner agencies to protect young people who may be at risk.

Last week, Inspector Littlefair met with the heads of the Darlington Borough Council anti-social behaviour (ASB) team, the Council’s Head of Safety, and our local PCC Community Safety Coordinator for Darlington as we continue to work together on this operation to protect young people who may be at risk.

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner
Darlington Borough Council County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service

13/06/2026

**Op Endurance**

North Road and East Neighbourhood Beat Teams were joined with our Bikes section for Operation Endurance today.

In a joint effort to tackle the use of off road bikes and vehicles used in an anti-social manner, officers also deployed the police drone to assist in searching various hot spot locations.

These operations rely upon the public giving us information so please continue to report these issues.

Calls to our control room are vital for helping us know where these nuisance vehicles are, and when they are usually there.

Alternatively email us via our dedicated email address for Op Endurance:

[email protected]

11/06/2026

The message is simple. Do Not Risk It.

⚽It’s World Cup time!

The countdown is over and tonight it all kicks off for the first match with Mexico taking on South Africa.

We know fans will eagerly be waiting for the first England match next week but here’s your reminder to enjoy the tournament responsibly and refrain from driving under the influence so we don’t have to knock on your loved ones’ door for all the wrong reasons.

We don’t want to see you sent off permanently before you can even say penalties.

Drink and drug driving kills. Don’t risk it.

11/06/2026

💬 “We wanted to make sure it was secure.”

At 2.05am today, a call came into our control room reporting that people were allegedly using tools to break a lock at Tom Raine Court.

Officers were on scene within minutes and found two men hanging around a motorbike which had been locked to a tree for the night.

When asked what they were doing, they told officers they were ‘making sure the bike was secure’ 🤨

A search of the pair also resulted in a number of tools being seized, including a hammer and a screwdriver.

Two men, aged 40 and 42, were arrested on suspicion of going equipped, vehicle interference, and possession of an offensive weapon.

They were taken into custody where they remain this afternoon.

We know how significant bike and motorcycle thefts can be, particularly for people who use them as their main method of transport, and will not tolerate it in Darlington.

📲 If you have any information on suspected criminality in your area, call us on 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress.

11/06/2026

A petrol station worker has told how he feared he was going to die after being violently attacked by two men.

Daniel Davis and John Wilson repeatedly stabbed the man at the BP garage on High Northgate at around 12.50am on Thursday, January 8.

The pair fled the scene with stolen alcohol and vapes after the attack, leaving the victim laid on the floor behind the counter covered in blood.

He was found by a member of the public who called the police after hearing the man’s cries for help.

Officers attended on an immediate response and carried out vital first aid on the victim, who had been stabbed five times, before paramedics arrived.

They also identified the suspects from the garage’s CCTV, who were arrested at their Darlington homes a short time after the attack.

Davis, 26, and 39-year-old Wilson both pleaded guilty to robbery and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The pair appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday (June 9) for sentencing.

Davis was jailed for 11 years and three months, comprising of eight years and three months in custody, with three years on extended licence.

Wilson was jailed for 12 years, comprising of nine years in custody, with three years on extended licence.

In a victim impact statement, the man said: “What happened that night was awful and something I will never forget. The two males attacked me for no reason. When they left and I was laid on the floor bleeding, I did not know if I was going to die.

“During this incident I sustained numerous injuries. While these have begun to heal, the scars I am left with will remind me of what happened for the rest of my life.

“Despite this, I hold no ill feeling towards the two males responsible. In fact, I feel sorry for them. They must now deal with the consequences of their actions.”

10/06/2026

We’re appealing for witnesses following a suspected arson attack on a house in the early hours of this morning.

The incident happened at the property in Richmond Close at around 3.50am today (June 10).

Thankfully, nobody was injured during the fire, but the house was extensively damaged.

Officers are treating the incident as arson and an investigation is underway.

A man riding a motorbike is believed to have been involved, and officers would like to speak to anyone who may have captured any CCTV or Ring doorbell footage of him either before or after the incident.

If you can help, please call Darlington CID on 101, or email Detective Constable Matt Stasiak at [email protected] quoting crime reference number CRI00687022.

Alternatively, information can be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

07/06/2026

🚨🚨 Beat IT 🚨🚨

This is what Darlington NPT have been up to this week.

07/06/2026

‼️ARRESTS MADE‼️

During the early hours of Sunday morning (7th June) the police received a report of a burglary on Moray Close, Darlington.

Darlington D Relief officers responded immediately and arrests have been made. The suspects remain in police custody.

It is believed the suspects are the same people involved trying insecure car and dwelling house doors on Hercules Street, Darlington.

🔓Darlington Police urges everyone to make sure your house and cars are locked, especially before you go to bed on a night. 🔓