A SERIES of crimes across Prudhoe has left residents concerned.

Prudhoe Front Street was cordoned off on April 26 after a man fell from the window of a vacant property.

Investigations by Northumbria Police uncovered a cannabis farm. It was the second cannabis farm discovered that month after officers following up on reports of a burglary on West Wylam Drive on April 12 uncovered the operation.

Three people were arrested in West Wylam over the Easter weekend, following reports of alleged assault and vandalism. All three were found not guilty of assault at a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on May 9.

An alleged dangerous driver on May 4 resulted in a police helicopter and unmarked cars visiting Prudhoe. A man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving after allegedly crashing into a parked vehicle.

An “abandoned” caravan in Prudhoe Legion Club car park went up in flames, although it was stressed the cause remains unknown.

Councillor Angie Scott, representing Prudhoe North, said: “It is concerning, but I have been working with partner agencies and in particular the police, raising residents' concerns to try and get things stopped.

“It is unusual, but police have been proactive, and hopefully things will start to calm down.”

Cllr Gordon Stewart, representing Prudhoe South, added: “I understand residents are concerned, but Prudhoe remains a safe place to live or visit.

“I am in contact with the police on a regular basis which is normal practice. Proceedings against several people are in the system. I wish to thank the public for their vigilance and reporting matters to either the police or crime stoppers.”

Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, said: "Prudhoe is a community known to have relatively low levels of crime and anti-social behaviour, and so it’s understandable that people feel concerned by recent incidents, which are out of the ordinary for the area.

"These incidents have received swift and effective policing responses leading to drug seizes and arrests, which I hope provides the local community with reassurance that fighting crime in the area is being taken very seriously.

“I know from speaking with people when I’ve been out and about in the town that they want to see greater police visibility. That is the very reason why I keep fighting for more Government funding for our force, so we can have more officers and more PCSOs out on the streets - that’s exactly what I want to happen too.”

Northumbria back-tracked on plans to axe 95 community support officer (PCSO) roles, announcing last week some jobs would be saved.

The force said further grant funding had been secured, allowing 38 of 41 jobs to be saved and will add 134 new officers to its neighbourhood teams.

Enquiries remain ongoing into the caravan fire at the Legion on May 18 and the cannabis farm uncovered on April 12.

In terms of the cannabis farm uncovered on April 27, a 27-year-old man was arrested in Stanley. 

Officers recovered suspected cocaine valued at £7,000, suspected cannabis believed to be worth £10,000, plus £4,000 in cash and weapons including knuckle dusters and machetes.

He was later charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis and possession of an offensive weapon. The man is due before Newcastle Crown Court on June 9.

John Allan Hill, 34 of Adderlane Road in Prudhoe, arrested for alleged dangerous driving, was charged with criminal damage, driving whilst above the prescribed limit for alcohol, dangerous driving, failing to report or stop at the scene of a road traffic collision and stalking.

He is due to appear on June 2 at Newcastle Crown Court.