High profile incidents like these are rare

This week has been a busy one after the bodies of three people were found in two separate incidents in Sunderland.

Earlier this week, sadly the body of Mark Herron, 53, was discovered under dense rubble following a fire inside the garage of an address on Tunstall Village Green.

Then on Wednesday, we were called to a property on Satley Gardens where the bodies of two people, who were known to each other, were discovered.

Investigations are ongoing into both of these incidents and an experienced team of detectives continue to carry out a range of enquiries.

Specialist family liaison officers are supporting the respective families.

Whenever high-profile incidents like these happen, I understand the impact it can have on the victim’s families, those living nearby and the wider community.

I’d like to reassure the communities we serve that incidents of this nature are rare, and both of these are isolated incidents – with their respective investigations well underway.

Over the last few weeks, my teams have been working hard to tackle the issues most important to you.

There’s Operation Asteroid and Operation Carousel outlined in more detail on this page, while Operation Avalanche is making a difference in Hetton and Houghton.

Then in Cleadon and East Boldon, neighbourhood teams continue to tackle motorbike-related disorder through Operation Finch.

We will continue to do all we can to offer you the very best policing service that you expect and deserve, and would continue to ask anyone who is a victim of crime to get in touch.