8:20am Thursday 23rd July 2009
THREE turtles were rescued by the RSPCA after being found in an abandoned house.
Police officers discovered the reptiles in a fish tank in Thornaby, near Stockton, as part of Operation Tornado.
It is not clear how long the turtles had been there or where they had come from.
In another part of the nine-day operation, a 31-year-old was given a caution for possession of cannabis following a drugs search in Hartlepool on Tuesday.
In Middlesbrough, neighbourhood policing team officers from the Berwick Hills team carried out a community action day in North Ormesby.
Acting Inspector Paul Brodie said: “This was a fairly quiet event due to the weather, however there were still lots of other agencies present, including Erimus Housing, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Neighbourhood Watch and Middlesbrough Council, and some interagency referrals were made.”
In Stockton, anti-social behaviour patrols were carried out in the Newtown and Wrensfield areas and a 30- year-old man was arrested for driving while disqualified, failing to stop and for having no insurance. As part of a warrants operation, a man and a woman were arrested. Five men, aged 15, 17, 23 and 34, were arrested as part of an operation tackling vehicle crime.
Four were released without charge and the 34-year-old who was arrested on suspicion of theft has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
Detective Sergeant Jon Tapper said: “This organised day of action sends a clear message to people that we will continue to target those we suspect of being involved in vehicle crime in the Stockton district.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/trade_directory/