Vehicles were set on fire at a memorial gathering for one of the victims of the fatal A66 collision in Middlesbrough, as police deployed 200 officers, including firearms units, to respond to multiple incidents across Teesside on Thursday evening, August 27.
Residents in the Haswell area of County Durham were left shocked after cars were set alight at a balloon release held for one of the occupants of the VW Passat involved in the fatal collision on the A66. The gathering was believed to be for Michael Robert Cahill, 23, who died in the crash.
Footage shared on social media shows rows of cars engulfed in flames in a field while balloons were launched at the memorial ceremony. Officers are dealing with numerous incidents across Teesside as disorder and unlawful activity escalates in the region, connected to criminal gangs.
Nine deaths in five days
Nine people have lost their lives in five days, following the deaths of seven, including two police officers, in a crash on the A66 at the weekend. Police have been observed responding to multiple incidents throughout the locality after 200 officers, including firearms units, were brought in from other regions to support Cleveland Police.
This follows two men being arrested on suspicion of murder after two individuals perished in a house blaze, including a youngster, authorities have confirmed. The fire in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, ignited shortly before 05:30 BST and also left a 48-year-old woman in hospital in a critical state, along with three additional people who sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The blaze claimed the lives of Natalie McDonald, 34, and seven-year-old Valentina Foster. Cleveland Police is working to determine whether the A66 collision was connected to the fire in Birchington Avenue.
Community reaction
Ms McDonald's brother Josh Kirton told reporters: "My sister was not involved with anything to do with gangs, or the (crash on the) A66. That's what makes this so senseless."
He added: "People think they can do whatever they like. There's some terrible people in the world and now my sister and Valentina have gone."
Alec Brown, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, posted on social media: "Thank you so much to the superintendent from Cleveland Police that has just taken their time to give updates to myself, Anna Turley (MP for Redcar), South Bank and Grangetown Ward councillors."
He said: "They are working 20-hour days to ensure the ongoing safety of innocent residents. Over 200 extra police officers from forces around the country are here and are en route, from detectives to armed response.
"I will be sending a letter today to our Prime Minister asking for even more resource. The police really are doing an amazing job.
"If it is any reassurance at all, jobs called in to the police are actually down this week, however, the seriousness of the ones that have been called in need serious and swift action.
"Everyone is heartbroken over the loss of the aunt and little girl in Grangetown yesterday. People need to feel safe in their homes."
