Neighbourhood Policing Team
I am the Neighbourhood Inspector for the Bishop Auckland area which ranges from Binchester and Middlestone to the east, across Bishop Auckland Town, Coundon and Dene Valley, through West Auckland and Tindale, and out towards our rural villages such as Hamsterley, Evenwood, and Ramshaw.
With over 28 years service I have worked right across the County Durham and Darlington area and – whilst having operated as a Response Inspector in all four localities, I have spent many years within the arena of neighbourhood policing, having worked as a Sergeant at Newton Aycliffe and as Inspector at Durham City.
Arriving in post towards the end of 2023 after having performed the role of Force Incident Manager and Tactical Firearms Commander within the Force’s Control Room, I lead a team of like-minded individuals, passionate about making a difference within the communities we serve, and forging strong links with partners, residents, and other stakeholders. Our drive is the relentless pursuit of those who blight our neighbourhoods through ASB and crime.
My ethos is simple – ‘know your issues and have a plan’.
Fun facts? In my spare time I like to write and keep the cinemas in business!
Everyone meet Police Sergeant Laura Simpson-Jones.
Laura is the Sergeant for Bishop Auckland West, managing the PC's and PCSO's who serve Tindale Crescent, St Helens Auckland, West Auckland, Evenwood, Ramshaw, Hamsterley, Toft Hill, Etherley, Witton Park, Escomb and Woodhouse Close.
Laura joined Durham Police as a Special Constable in 2012 and joined as a Police Constable in 2016 working in response policing until November 2024, when she transferred into Neighbourhood policing.
Laura got promoted to Sergeant in February 2024 after working temporary in role since late 2022.
Self-described as a local kid, Laura’s values are ‘my patch, my problem’ to ensure that the officers she manages are dedicated to their patch and tackle any issue that rises.
Fun fact: Laura enjoys holidays in the sun and spending time with her family. Keeping policing in the family, her husband also works for Durham Police in Roads and Armed Policing.
Everyone meet PC 2980 Caryn Dundas.
Caryn has worked in Bishop Auckland NPT since 2023 and been a PC with Durham Police for over seven years.
Caryn started her policing journey as a PCSO with Northumbria Police before joining Durham Police and working the response command in Darlington.
Caryn is the PC for St Helens Auckland and Tindale Crescent, including the retail park.
Fun fact: Caryn loves spending time with her young family, and is a 'dance mum' travelling the UK to competitions.
Everyone meet PC 9469 Neil.
Sophie has recently joined the team and has worked for Durham Police for over three years now.
Sophie is the PC for West Auckland, Evenwood, Ramshaw, and Toft Hill, alongside PCSO Marcus Robinson.
When you see Sophie in the community, please come and say hello.
Everyone meet PCSO 30686 Connor Graham.
Connor has recently joined the team and is currently working alongside PCSO Atkinson and Pc Dundas at Tindale Retail Park and St Helen Auckland.
Everyone meet PCSO 30420 Marcus Robinson.
Marcus has worked in Bishop Auckland NPT for a year now and is the PCSO for West Auckland, Evenwood, Hamsterley, and Toft Hill.
Fun fact: Marcus enjoys walking his two dogs and volunteering in his free time.
Marcus holds a drop in sessions at The Well in West Auckland, keep an eye on our dedicated weekly post on Facebook for up and coming dates.
Everyone meet PCSO 7433 Mike Atkinson.
Mike has worked in Bishop Auckland NPT for 15 years and is the PCSO for Tindale Crescent and St Helens Auckland including Tindale Retail Park. Mike is incredibly passionate about his role and deterring retail crime.
Fun fact: Mike loves photography and punk music.
Mike holds a drop in session on Tindale retail park. To see the dates, please see our Facebook page. It would be great to see you there.
Crimes and priorities
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Priority:
Action taken:
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Priority:
St Helen Auckland and Tindale Retail Park PACT priorities:
ASB Nuisance around St Helen Auckland and Tindale Retail Park, youths throwing items at cars and causing a nuisance for retailers in the area.
Use of off-road bikes and quad bikes in the area.
Anti-Social use of cars driven around the area.
Shoplifting - businesses repeatedly targeted.Action taken:
Officers are conducting regular high visibility patrols around St Helen Auckland and Tindale Retail Park.
Bishop NPT are taking proactive action against shoplifters, targeted patrols are being conducted to deter shop thefts, numerous individuals have been arrested in relation to shoplifting offences.
A number of youths engaging in Nuisance ASB have been identified, home visits have been conducted. These youths will be dealt with by officers and DCC ASB team - ASB escalation process.
Officers are gathering intelligence. Obtaining CCTV footage of off-road bike use. The bike section will be utilised when in the area
Section 59 Notice boards to be positioned in Laburnum Grove and any illegal bikes and quads to be seized. -
Priority:
West Auckland PACT Priorities:
Youths causing anti-social behaviour within the
village most nights. Large groups gathering. Criminal damage, general nuisance, threatening behaviour.
Hotspot areas - Front Street and East Green
Illegal use of off-road bikes and quad bikes in the area.
Anti-Social use of cars driven around the area.
Drug use/dealing in the local area.Action taken:
Actions taken: Regular high visibility targeted patrols, obtained CCTV where possible, dealt with youths appropriately when identified via council ASB escalation, words of advice, homes visits, community resolution.
Issue CPW(Community Protection Warning) and CPN(Community Protection Notice) where necessary.
A number of youths have been identified spoken with and parents contacted. Many of these youths are on the escalation process with two of these being issued with acceptable behaviour contracts. Another youth has been issued with a community protection warning in relation to crime and anti-social behaviour
Gather intelligence, CCTV footage, still images. Utilise bike section when in the area.
Section 59 notices have been put up around West Auckland, multiple bikes have been seized since May 2025 the last update.
Request from the public to send in any intelligence in relation to the use of or dealing of.