Man arrested after gang of men smash windows on houses and car in street

It comes after two separate incidents happened on neighbouring streets; Marlowe Place and Hall Lane, in Houghton on Saturday, April 18.

Inquiries were launched by Northumbria Police, and one man has now been charged and is due to appear before a magistrates court next month.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 10am on Saturday we received a report of criminal damage at an address on Marlowe Place, Houghton.

“It was reported that a group of men had smashed the windows of an address before making off from the scene.

“A short time later, at about 10.30am, we received a similar report of criminal damage at an address on Hall Lane, Houghton, where a group of men had smashed the ground floor windows of a property, as well as a vehicle which was parked outside.

“Nobody was injured in either of the incidents, which police are treating as linked, and an investigation was swiftly launched to identify those responsible.

"A 20-year-old man was subsequently arrested and he has now been charged with criminal damage, driving whilst disqualified, driving without a licence and no insurance use.

“He is due to appear before magistrates in South Tyneside next month.

"Anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact us via the 'Tell Us Something' page on our website quoting log 291 180420."