Man taken to hospital after Chester-le-Street incident

Paramedics found the man injured after being called to Fifth Avenue on Saturday (February 14), afternoon, around 12.40pm.

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) said his injuries were “possibly as the result of an assault.”

One resident said she saw “at least 30 coppers” descend on the area, and said the field was cordoned off as police dealt with the incident. Durham Police has been contacted for information.

The mum-of-two, who did not want to be named, said: “Around one o’clock there were about 30 coppers and the whole field was cornered off.

Fifth Avenue in Chester le Street (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“I saw police go into one house and then to another.

“This area doesn’t feel safe at all and it’s unfair on the kids who live here. Whenever my seven-year-old son hears a bang, he’s terrified and doesn’t want to leave the house.

“I hate living here. You see things like this happen all the time. The kids are just petrified.”

Another resident said he saw armed police in the area earlier that afternoon.

He said: “I saw armed police here about 1pm, there were helicopters above as well. I went into my garden to keep out the way. I keep myself to myself.”

While another elderly resident, Janet, said: “There’s always trouble around here. Police are here a lot. But I didn’t see anything happen, I hope everyone is okay.”

Another resident said she saw “loads of police” opposite her house.

Fifth Avenue in Chester le Street (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“Sadly stuff like this happens all the time around here,” she added.

A NEAS spokesperson confirmed: “We received a call on Saturday (February 14) at 12.41pm to concerns for a person injured on Fifth Avenue, Chester-le-Street, possibly as the result of an assault.

“One emergency ambulance crew attended the scene along with police, and one male patient was taken to hospital for further treatment.”