Raoul Moat - the story on BBC Newcastle

Raoul Moat is on the run for a week before being cornered

It was seven days the like of which Rothbury in Northumberland had never seen before.

Raoul Moat, armed and already responsible for one death, was somewhere in the village.

Police from all over the UK descended, as did the country's national and local media.

BBC Newcastle had the difficult task of keeping its listeners informed without increasing fear or stepping over into sensationalism.

This is the story it told.

The first weekend

It's Saturday, 3 July 2010. BBC Newcastle's radio news bulletins report that one man is dead and a woman is seriously ill after being shot in Gateshead in the early hours of the morning.

Listen here

At first, the police are dealing with crimes - serious crimes: the murder of Chris Brown, the new boyfriend of Moat's ex-girlfriend, Samatha Stobbart, whom he shot at her home in Birtley a day after coming out of Durham Prison.

Then, in the early hours of Sunday, 4 July, Moat shoots PC David Rathband as he sits in his patrol car on the edge of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Listen here

Monday

At the start of the working week, and on the third day of the search for Raoul Moat, the north-east of England wakes up to what becomes the biggest manhunt in recent British history.

Raoul Moat is on the run.

Snipers are brought in, along with armoured cars from Northern Ireland

Listen here

It emerges that Northumbria police have been warned that he might attack his former girlfriend when he came out of prison.

Temporary Chief Constable Sue Simm admits as much in a news conference.

Listen here

Tuesday

Raoul Moat has been on the run for four days and police assure the public the net is closing.

Listen here

Wednesday

More information is revealed about Moat's movements. A reward is offered. This is his fifth day on the run.

Firearms police and armoured vehicles from across the UK are deployed on the fringes of the Northumberland National Park.

Listen here

As the days go by we learn more about Britain's most wanted man.

Listen here

Thursday

Until now the people of the North East weren't thought to be under threat but this is about to change.

Listen here

Friday

A whole working week has gone by and Raoul Moat continues to evade capture, despite police from forces around the country, helicopters and an RAF Tornado joining the search.

Armed police surround Moat as police negotiators try to talk to him

Listen here

As people settle down for a balmy summer weekend the peace is shattered as a man is spotted by the River Coquet.

Listen here

Saturday - 3.12am

Police sources confirm that 37-year-old Raoul Moat has died from a gunshot wound.

Listen here

Moat dies.

It's a week after he took the life of 29-year-old Chris Brown, shot his former partner, 22-year-old Samantha Stobbart, and went on to shoot 42-year-old PC David Rathband.