A car allegedly rammed the front garden wall of a property on Steele Crescent in South Bank, Middlesbrough, in the early hours of August 27, just a short distance from the scene of a devastating blaze that killed two people. Cleveland Police confirmed an incident occurred shortly after half past midnight, with several calls reporting a vehicle had crashed into a wall.
Residents Describe Scary Scenes
Pictures show bricks and a metal fence strewn across the grass after the wall was hit. A neighbour said: "It happened at about 12.40am. My daughter saw it. She said a car kept going backwards and forwards into the wall over and over." The neighbour added: "People on the outside think it's scary but it doesn't bother me. I've grown up here and it's normal. There's always something going on here."
The incident comes a day after police launched a murder probe following the deaths of Natalie McDonald, 34, and her niece Valentina Foster, seven, in a fire on Birchington Avenue, Grangetown. It is not yet known whether the fire is linked to the A66 crash on August 22 that killed seven people, including two officers, but police have not ruled it out.
Police Investigation Underway
Local policing Superintendent Emily Harrison said: "The property was empty at the time and we have not currently received any reports of any injuries. Officers are conducting enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident. Our investigation is in its early stages and it has not yet been confirmed whether this incident is linked to wider organised crime."
Harrison added: "We will continue to have a pro-active police presence in the area and work to identify those responsible. We would also appeal for anyone with information or any relevant doorbell, dash cam or private CCTV footage to contact Cleveland Police via the website or by phoning 101. Please quote ref 171649."
