Police are renewing an appeal for witnesses following a collision in Whitburn Bents Road, Sunderland, in which a 91-year-old man was injured. A Ford Focus C-Max was travelling southbound when it collided with the pedestrian as he crossed the road on Wednesday, February 19. The man’s condition is described as comfortable and stable. Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police on 101ext 69191, quoting reference number 1093 190214.

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY: A man wearing a mask threatened staff with a knife at Peter’s Discount Store in Woodbine Street, Gateshead, at 11.10pm last night (Monday, February 24). He left empty-handed when challenged. Noone was injured in the incident. A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and is helping police with their inquiries. Anyone with any information should ring Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference 1261 240214.

WITNESS APPEAL: Police are appealing for witnesses after a 19-year-old man was threatened at a bus stop in Crowhall Lane, Gateshead, at 6.20pm yesterday (Monday, February 24) A man approached the victim and demanded money. The offender made off empty handed. The suspect is described as having tattoos on both side of his neck. He was wearing a flat cap, dark coat and wearing layers. Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference 1234 240214.

WINTER CRACKDOWN: Police arrested almost 250 people during a winter crackdown on thieves in Newcastle. Operation Cracker - aimed at preventing and detecting shoplifting in the city centre - ran for just over three months from October 2013 into January 2014 - a time when shoplifting offences historically start to rise. As a result there was a 4.4 per cent drop in shoplifting during the period of the operation.