The Environment Agency is investigating after four illegal crayfish traps were recovered from the River Wear.
Enforcement officers, acting on information, made the discovery at Shincliffe on Wednesday night.
The trapping of crayfish is banned in the North East to protect the native population of white clawed crayfish, which is under threat from the invasive American signal crayfish.
Environment AgencyCopyright: Environment Agency
Kev Summerson, from the agency, said: “Fishing or trapping crayfish in our rivers is illegal and people need to be aware that anyone involved in such activity will potentially face enforcement action.”
On National Dog Day, here's one backing the Black Cats...
It's National Dog Day today, so here's a dog in Sunderland colours prior to the Premier League match between the Black Cats and Newcastle at the Stadium of Light on 5 April 2015.
Matthew LewisCopyright: Matthew Lewis
BreakingNo warrant to arrest flat occupier sought over 'bomb scare'
There is no warrant out for the arrest of the occupier of a flat in South Shields which sparked a bomb scare, Northumbria Police says.
Officers want to speak to them after they raided the property at 04:00 this morning.
There were fears they had found home-made explosives inside, but bomb squad officers declared there were no explosives or hazardous materials present.
Our Friends in the North: Christopher Eccleston recalls classic TV drama
Simon Armstrong
BBC News
As we told you earlier, tonight sees a question and answer session at the Whitley Bay Film Festival with Our Friends in the North writer Peter Flannery. It marks 20 years since the programme was first broadcast.
"It chimed with my politics coming from a working class background," he said.
"I heard stories in my own family about my Uncle Bill being sacked in the 30s, crying in a doorway and being too ashamed to go home, so all that stuff about the Jarrow Marchers resonated with me."
Largely unknown at the time, the cast also featured Mark Strong, Gina McKee and Daniel Craig - a future James Bond!
BBCCopyright: BBC
Extra performance for live history show
Organisers of a live action show which "showcases 2,000 years of English history on a spectacular scale", have laid on an additional session due to popular demand.
Kynren, on a site near Bishop Auckland, claims to be the UK's biggest open-air performance event since the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.
It has been running since July, and as most of the shows have been sold out, an extra performance will take place on 16 September.
Peter HaygarthCopyright: Peter Haygarth
Tim Krul: Newcastle goalkeeper joins Ajax after signing a new deal
The 28-year-old Italian, who joined the Black Cats from Arsenal in 2013, was injured during a training session.
Manager David Moyes said he would "definitely" look to make a signing as Jordan Pickford, 22, is his only fit senior goalkeeper.
Moyes added the club had made a bid for Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra.
The 28-year-old joined Sevilla from Levante in 2013 and is a three-time Europa League winner.
PACopyright: PA
Police seek urinating McDonald's customer
A man who exposed himself in a McDonald's restaurant and urinated on the side of the counter and the floor is being sought by police.
The incident happened in full view of customers - many of them children - at the branch in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, at 16:40 on Saturday.
GoogleCopyright: Google
Officers are seeking a man described as in his early 30s, with fair, receding hair, and wearing a black jacket with a black polo shirt with white detailing on his collar.
Armed police leave South Shields
Mark Denten
BBC Look North
Two armed police officers have just left the scene here at Lake Avenue in South Shields.
The street has now been cordoned off for about nine hours.
Army bomb disposal teams from Catterick Garrison have been on site since 06:30 this morning.
Flat was searched 'due to information about the occupant'
Asked if the police had information it was terrorism-related to initially raid the property, Ged Noble replied: "No, no, we weren't (aware of the items) until we entered the address.
"We were searching that address in relation to other matters, in relation to the occupant of that address."
He confirmed there was a "controlled disruption" on "one small item" which wasn't an explosive device.
Alert 'not being treated as a counter-terrorism incident'
Northumbria Police Southern Area Commander Ged Noble continues:
"We will conduct further searches using police officers, the explosive ordnance disposal team will remain in attendance so we can satisfy ourselves that that premises is absolutely safe.
"In relation to the occupant of that address, we are actively looking for that individual as we speak and have been throughout the night.
"At this time I am not treating this as a counter-terrorism incident however I will keep that under constant review.
"We've had significant support form the local authority."
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BBCCopyright: BBC Video caption: The Tall Ships arrive in Northumberland for the regattaThe Tall Ships arrive in Northumberland for the regatta 
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Latest PostOur live coverage across the day
Updates have now finished for the day.
We'll be back with news, travel and weather forecasts from 08:00 on Tuesday after a break for the bank holiday.
If you've got any photos you'd like to share with us you can tweet them to @BBCNewsNE, email them, or contact us via our Facebook page.
Whether you are working or taking the time off, enjoy the weekend.
Dog has Friday feeling in Middlesbrough
Andy Bell
BBC Tees
It's Friday, it's National Dog Day, so who doesn't want to see a pooch playing in fountains in slow motion in Middlesbrough?
A dogs life out at sea...
Northumbria Police has brought some four-legged friends to the Tall Ships shindig in Blyth:
Sunny spells in Blyth
Jennifer Bartram
BBC Look North weather presenter
There are sunny spells here in Blyth.
I'll be presenting the weather for BBC Look North here in lovely Northumberland.
About 30 of some of the finest vessels in the world will be on show here until Monday.
Video: Tall Ships sail into Blyth for regatta
The Tall Ships arrive in Northumberland for the regatta.
Video content
Hartlepool United v Newport County
BBC Sport
Live coverage of tomorrow's League Two game between Hartlepool United and Newport County.
Environment Agency targets illegal crayfish trappers
The Environment Agency is investigating after four illegal crayfish traps were recovered from the River Wear.
Enforcement officers, acting on information, made the discovery at Shincliffe on Wednesday night.
The trapping of crayfish is banned in the North East to protect the native population of white clawed crayfish, which is under threat from the invasive American signal crayfish.
Kev Summerson, from the agency, said: “Fishing or trapping crayfish in our rivers is illegal and people need to be aware that anyone involved in such activity will potentially face enforcement action.”
Woman cut from car after after collision on A1
On National Dog Day, here's one backing the Black Cats...
It's National Dog Day today, so here's a dog in Sunderland colours prior to the Premier League match between the Black Cats and Newcastle at the Stadium of Light on 5 April 2015.
BreakingNo warrant to arrest flat occupier sought over 'bomb scare'
There is no warrant out for the arrest of the occupier of a flat in South Shields which sparked a bomb scare, Northumbria Police says.
Officers want to speak to them after they raided the property at 04:00 this morning.
There were fears they had found home-made explosives inside, but bomb squad officers declared there were no explosives or hazardous materials present.
Metro delays between South Shields and St James
Our Friends in the North: Christopher Eccleston recalls classic TV drama
Simon Armstrong
BBC News
As we told you earlier, tonight sees a question and answer session at the Whitley Bay Film Festival with Our Friends in the North writer Peter Flannery. It marks 20 years since the programme was first broadcast.
Speaking from Melbourne, Australia, where he's filming the third and final series of HBO drama The Leftovers, star Christopher Eccleston told us just why the series is regarded as a TV classic.
"It chimed with my politics coming from a working class background," he said.
"I heard stories in my own family about my Uncle Bill being sacked in the 30s, crying in a doorway and being too ashamed to go home, so all that stuff about the Jarrow Marchers resonated with me."
Largely unknown at the time, the cast also featured Mark Strong, Gina McKee and Daniel Craig - a future James Bond!
Extra performance for live history show
Organisers of a live action show which "showcases 2,000 years of English history on a spectacular scale", have laid on an additional session due to popular demand.
Kynren, on a site near Bishop Auckland, claims to be the UK's biggest open-air performance event since the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.
It has been running since July, and as most of the shows have been sold out, an extra performance will take place on 16 September.
Tim Krul: Newcastle goalkeeper joins Ajax after signing a new deal
BBC Sport
Some football news from last night we had been expecting - Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has joined Ajax on a season-long loan after signing a new one-year deal with the Magpies.
The 28-year-old Netherlands international has extended his contract with the Championship club until 2018.
He has not played since last October when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Krul has joined Ajax after goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen moved to Barcelona to replace Claudio Bravo.
Dog rescued from Seaton Sluice ledge
Fire crews and and cliff rescue volunteers joined forces to rescue a dog.
Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade was called out yesterday to Seaton Sluice Harbour where the animal was stuck on a ledge near the Kings Arms pub.
The dog was recovered and reunited with the owner, who was described as "extremely grateful".
Vito Mannone: Sunderland goalkeeper out for three months with elbow injury
BBC Sport
Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone will be out for at least three months and could require an operation after tearing elbow ligaments.
The 28-year-old Italian, who joined the Black Cats from Arsenal in 2013, was injured during a training session.
Manager David Moyes said he would "definitely" look to make a signing as Jordan Pickford, 22, is his only fit senior goalkeeper.
Moyes added the club had made a bid for Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra.
The 28-year-old joined Sevilla from Levante in 2013 and is a three-time Europa League winner.
Police seek urinating McDonald's customer
A man who exposed himself in a McDonald's restaurant and urinated on the side of the counter and the floor is being sought by police.
The incident happened in full view of customers - many of them children - at the branch in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, at 16:40 on Saturday.
Officers are seeking a man described as in his early 30s, with fair, receding hair, and wearing a black jacket with a black polo shirt with white detailing on his collar.
Armed police leave South Shields
Mark Denten
BBC Look North
Two armed police officers have just left the scene here at Lake Avenue in South Shields.
The street has now been cordoned off for about nine hours.
Army bomb disposal teams from Catterick Garrison have been on site since 06:30 this morning.
Flat was searched 'due to information about the occupant'
Asked if the police had information it was terrorism-related to initially raid the property, Ged Noble replied: "No, no, we weren't (aware of the items) until we entered the address.
"We were searching that address in relation to other matters, in relation to the occupant of that address."
He confirmed there was a "controlled disruption" on "one small item" which wasn't an explosive device.
Alert 'not being treated as a counter-terrorism incident'
Northumbria Police Southern Area Commander Ged Noble continues:
"We will conduct further searches using police officers, the explosive ordnance disposal team will remain in attendance so we can satisfy ourselves that that premises is absolutely safe.
"In relation to the occupant of that address, we are actively looking for that individual as we speak and have been throughout the night.
"At this time I am not treating this as a counter-terrorism incident however I will keep that under constant review.
"We've had significant support form the local authority."