Silent Crime: Round-up as woman jailed for assaulting paramedics by throwing potatoes & spraying aerosol

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In Accrington, Rebecca Stevenson, 26, was jailed for 44 weeks after assaulting two paramedics who came to assist her in May by throwing potatoes and other objects at them and spraying an aerosol in their direction. The paramedics suffered minor injuries, both inside and outside the ambulance.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Horne condemned the attack, saying that assaults on emergency workers would not be tolerated. He welcomed the custodial sentence, hoping it serves as a warning to others regarding the seriousness of such offences.

A woman in Northampton was jailed for 18 weeks after being caught drinking and urinating in public, marking her tenth breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) this year. Sylvia Johnston, 44, was found intoxicated by patrol officers in the town centre, a location she was banned from entering under her CBO. Her behaviour, part of a pattern of anti-social activities, led to her arrest and sentencing after repeated violations of the court order aimed at curbing her disruptive actions.

In Corby, a man was assaulted by a group of children who threw bricks and stones at him, causing injuries that required hospital treatment. The attack occurred as the man walked from Counts Farm Road to Tavistock Square. This incident is part of a concerning pattern of youth violence in the area, including a stabbing in April, a street fight in June, and an arson attack in August.

Police say they have been actively addressing these issues, as the community grapples with rising anti-social behaviour involving teenagers. Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact Northamptonshire Police.

In Hartlepool, Tanya Liddle, dubbed "Britain's most prolific female thief," has committed her 171st offence after stealing £1,500 worth of designer bags from a TK Maxx store. Liddle, 43, who has been arrested nearly 400 times, was caught on CCTV calmly leaving the store with multiple bags.

Due to her extensive criminal history, Northumbria Police secured a civil injunction banning her from entering most retail premises in the area, with exceptions for essential stores. If she violates the order, Liddle faces arrest and potential jail time.

A youth-related violence also occurred in Clay Cross, Derbyshire after a 92-year-old man was assaulted at a bus station, leaving him with injuries that required medical treatment. The incident took place between 11am and noon on August 31, when four youths approached the elderly man, lifted him off a bench, and dropped him onto the ground, causing injuries to his chest.

The police have since described the attack as part of a concerning rise in youth-related violence in the area as local residents are urged to assist in their investigation to tackle such anti-social behaviour.

In Sheffield, vandals have caused outrage after snapping several newly planted trees at a playground in Graves Park, which had recently undergone a £70,000 refurbishment. The Friends of Woodseats Playground group, who oversaw the improvements, described the damage as a "tragic act of vandalism," with three trees completely destroyed and two others severely bent. The vandalism occurred just weeks after the park's renovation, which aimed to create a more inclusive and pleasant environment.

Police also investigated a series of car thefts in South Tyneside, targeting Land Rover and Range Rover models, involving sophisticated technological methods to bypass security systems. Thieves exploited vulnerabilities in vehicles with keyless entry systems, stealing cars along with valuable items like designer bags, cash, and luxury goods.

David Hailes, linked to 12 thefts and two attempted thefts, admitted his involvement in the conspiracy due to a debt owed to criminals. He was sentenced to 20 months, suspended for 18 months, with community service and rehabilitation requirements.

Mark Weekes, 47, was jailed for 24 days after stealing £145 worth of items from Marks & Spencer at Brotherhood Retail Park, Peterborough, and assaulting staff during his escape. When confronted by employees, Weekes, who had a cut on his finger, flicked blood at them before assaulting them, leaving some with injuries to their faces and hands.

Weekes, of no fixed address, was arrested for a separate theft in Wisbech and later pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and two counts of assault. He was ordered to pay compensation to the victims as part of his sentence.

In August, several repeat shoplifters from towns across Northamptonshire, including Corby, Kettering, and Wellingborough, were sentenced for their offences. Many of these individuals were known to the courts and had committed multiple thefts, often linked to drug use or violent behaviour. Notable offenders include Phillip Leitch, who stole from a Corby store, and Aimee Cuthbert, responsible for 20 thefts, receiving nearly a year of imprisonment.

Northamptonshire Police have emphasised their commitment to tackling retail crime and working with local businesses to curb such offences. Many offenders also faced additional penalties, including compensation to victims and rehabilitation orders, with the police taking a "hard-line approach" to address the rise in drug-fuelled shoplifting.