Local News

A police investigation into the cause of a huge recycling plant blaze has now been closed, the force has confirmed;

A family of five and a dog have had to be saved by a lifeboat after being cut off by the tide near Whitby;

...and Police have issued a warning after eleven people from the Cleveland area have been taken to hospital this afternoon due to the effects of drug use. 

A police investigation into the cause of a huge recycling plant blaze has now been closed, the force has confirmed.

A major fire broke out at Greenology Plastic Recycling Centre at Liverton Mines last April, with huge flames lighting up the sky.

The blaze was so large it could be seen across the North East and North Yorkshire.

Firefighters attended the scene on April 5, 2020 and spent hours battling the flames.

A joint investigation with Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade was subsequently launched to find out how the blaze began.

However, Cleveland Police has now confirmed that the investigation has been closed pending any information coming to light.

A family of five and a dog have had to be saved by a lifeboat after being cut off by the tide near Whitby.

Coastguards and the RNLI rushed to the North Yorkshire scene on Saturday afternoon as the group were penned to the foot of steep cliffs by the advancing water.

At around 4.30pm the emergency services were contacted over the perilous situation developing near Saltwick Nab - just down the coast from Whitby.

Coastguards quickly located the stuck family and guided in the inshore lifeboat from Whitby RNLI, while preparing for a clifftop rope rescue, if required.

The lifeboat was able to carry out the rescue and take the family to Whitby Lifeboat Station.

Police have issued a warning after eleven people from the Cleveland area have been taken to hospital this afternoon due to the effects of drug use. 

Early indications suggest that they could have become ill due to the use of the drug spice, although this is not confirmed.

Due to the number of people in hospital, it is likely that there is a particularly strong or 'bad batch' in circulation, however the circumstances are being looked into. 

Those who do take illegal drugs should be aware, refrain from their use, and seek immediate medical attention if they become unwell.