Raoul Moat manhunt timeline: How we kept Chronicle readers one step ahead

It was an unforgettable week when the eyes of the world were on Tyneside.

But our readers remained one step ahead as the Raoul Moat manhunt unfolded 10 years ago.

From being the first to break the news of the shootings in Birtley on the morning of July 3, 2010, to being one of the few publications in the country able to confirm Moat’s death in print, we kept Tyneside informed of every twist and turn in the tragic drama.

And when Moat's anguished brother Angus wanted to speak out about his brother's plight, it was his local newspaper, The Chronicle, that he contacted, despite being offered large sums of money by national media.

The manhunt began at 2.30am and The Chronicle - then The Evening Chronicle - was in the shops just seven hours later with three pages of coverage and reaction gathered by our reporters on the scene.

As the story unfolded, journalists from national newspapers travelled to the North East, many offering associates of Moat vast sums of money for sensational details about the killer and his private life.

Meanwhile, the broadcast media sent news crews to cover the drama 24/7. But thanks to our local knowledge and the trust of the local people we spoke to, our papers and website were packed with new and most importantly accurate information every day.

Paul Robertson, editor of The Chronicle at the time, has explained how good working relationships with both local communities and Northumbria Police helped tell the stand-out story of his career.

"Nothing compares to the Raoul Moat situation. It was a remarkable story. It attracted national and international attention. It was an incredible series of events," he said

"We had reporters on the ground with good contacts and we had already developed a really good relationship with the police.

"In the very early days, we were working very closely with the police to help them do their best to get him into custody. We were open with them about the contact Raoul Moat's associates made with us and assisted them.

"The police knew the value of the paper in the local area.

"I think the local reporters on the ground were vital and even in this day of social media you can't beat trained journalists on the ground reporting from the frontline, not giving opinions but reflecting opinions.

"The difference between a local journalist and a national journalist is that a local journalist has to live in the community they are reporting on, so that level of trust is critical."

Of course, as this fast-moving story evolved, we also kept readers informed of all the latest developments between editions, on our website ChronicleLive.

These days our readers are used to us keeping them up-to-date with all the latest on breaking news stories and ongoing court cases through our online live blogs.

But our live coverage of the Moat manhunt in 2010 was one of the first times we had used this format, which allows us to publish the developments around the clock.

Our editor-in-chief Helen Dalby, who was head of web at the time, has explained how more readers than ever before logged onto our website to find out what was happening as the week-long manhunt unfolded.

"The Raoul Moat manhunt was a week in the newsroom that I'll never forget," she said.

"At the time, as head of web for The Chronicle and Journal, my role was at the heart of our rolling live coverage, which started on the morning of July 3 when our reporters were first on the scene of the shootings in Birtley and continued throughout every twist and turn that unfolded over the next seven days.

"It was our first rolling live news story, the first time we'd run a live blog virtually around the clock, and it generated our biggest online audience up to that point.

"Heavily pregnant at the time, I vividly remember balancing my laptop on my baby bump the night that the tragic drama came to an end in Rothbury, the moment I was advised that Paul Gascoigne had arrived on the scene a particularly memorable moment.

"I'm now incredibly proud to lead the newsroom that brought readers that compelling coverage - and to uphold the same publishing brand values of being responsive, accurate, balanced and trustworthy."

How we covered the Moat manhunt in front pages

Saturday, July 3: Chronicle reporters were first on the scene early in the morning after the shootings began. Our front page revealed a gun killer was on the run after shooting a man dead and leaving a woman seriously injured.

Neighbours told of the horrific scenes that unfolded before their eyes. Mary Hall, then 63, said: “I got up and looked out of the window and saw something huddled on the green outside. It was a man and I wondered why he wouldn’t get up.

"The lady in the house was screaming. The man shot through the window and shot the girl. I saw a figure of a man with a handgun. It’s all very shocking.”

Monday, July 5: With Moat’s identity now revealed, we brought you details of how Samantha Stobbart and David Rathband were under armed guard in hospital and that Northumbria Police had called in armed back-up from other forces as they searched for Moat, who they suspected to be hiding out somewhere in Newcastle.

Det Chief Supt Neil Adamson, who was leading the search operation, appealed directly to him. He said: “You have told us that the police are not taking you seriously. We are. I want you to know that you have our full attention, innocent people have been hurt. This must stop now.”

Tuesday, July 6: The hunt for Moat moved to Rothbury after a Lexus car police believed the gunman used was found parked in the Northumberland town. Rothbury was placed on lockdown as armed officers descended on the rural community and began scouring the countryside for Moat.

Then-Temporary Chief Constable, Sue Sim, said: “Members of the public are advised to remain indoors and await further instructions. Anyone considering visiting Rothbury is also advised not to travel. People will see armed officers on the streets.

"This is a precautionary measure to reassure them. Moat is still at large and we need to locate him. This remains our absolute priority.”

Wednesday, July 7: Shooting victim Sam Stobbart’s dad begged fugitive Raoul Moat to give himself up on the front page of the Chronicle.

Paul Stobbart said: “Raoul son, please, this has to stop, we don’t want anyone else hurt. No more, son.” We also revealed how friends of Moat were being handed carefully-worded letters by police to give to the fugitive should he make contact, urging him to get in touch with police.

Thursday, July 8: The Chronicle reveals chilling CCTV images of Moat walking into B&Q on Scotswood Road in Newcastle just hours before the shootings began. The fugitive is caught on camera calmly browsing the aisles. It was later revealed he was buying supplies for his time on the run in Rothbury.

Meanwhile, Moat’s uncle, Charlie Alexander, made a plea to his nephew via The Chronicle. He said: “If I could speak to him now I would tell him to pack it in. I just want him to know we are behind him and will support him if he hands himself in.”

Friday, July 9: We reveal pictures of ‘Moat's Lair’ after he abandons a tent and other camping equipment in the Rothbury countryside.

Det Chief Supt Neil Adamson said: “We believe this camping equipment was left behind by Mr Moat and others. We’re continuing to search for Moat."

Police also revealed that they found a second handwritten letter from Moat in the tent. The eight-page note, addressed to Samantha, reiterated his intention to target police officers.

Saturday, July 10: The Chronicle is the first newspaper to confirm that Raoul Moat is dead. We tell the full story of how Britain’s most wanted man shot himself after a tense six-hour stand-off with police in Rothbury.

Moat was cornered by officers with guns on the riverbank at around 7pm and police negotiators were called in to speak to him. As police issued an urgent message to villagers, warning them to stay indoors, witnesses reported seeing Moat holding a gun to his chest, head and neck.

Then shortly after 1am a single shot was heard ringing around Rothbury, signalling the end of one of the biggest, most dramatic manhunts the country has ever seen.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Police can now confirm that Raoul Thomas Moat, 37, of Newcastle, died in hospital early this morning.”