Media organisations were asked to abide by a voluntary news blackout as news of a kidnap on Teesside emerged.

Cleveland Police organised a news blackout – which affected the Hartlepool Mail and Teesside’s Evening Gazette, as well as other media – as officers tried to locate the hostage.

Regional newspapers in the area were asked not to print details until the situation was resolved as officers feared a life was in danger.

The drama began on Monday afternoon when a North East businessman was abducted, and the kidnappers demanded money from his brother.

As the news broke early on Tuesday, police gave regular updates on the situation to the media and at 7pm gathered the press together for a briefing.

Assistant Chief Constable Derek Bonnard and Detective Superintendent Brian Dunn, the officer heading the investigation, outlined to the press their “wide-ranging” and “active” operation.

The man was finally released at around 11pm on Tuesday, and the news blackout was lifted.

Hartlepool Mail editor Paul Napier said: “The conditions of the blackout meant that we couldn’t pursue anyone as this would have meant telling people there had been a kidnap, so there wasn’t really much we could do.

“But once it was lifted we could get going and try to get a name.”

Yesterday’s Evening Gazette revealed how officers had carried out a “sting” operatrion, handing over money, then recovering the cash as they made their arrest.

The paper said the kidnap victim had suffered minor injuries to his arms and legs, and was still too distressed to give a full account of his ordeal.

He has since been named as 45-year-old Tony Pattison from Hartlepool.

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