Durham Constabulary has condemned the "completely unacceptable" behaviour at a vigil for a man who died in the A66 crash after five cars were burnt out. Officers said they decided to let the cars burn at the gathering in Haswell, County Durham, because there was "no immediate risk to wider public safety".
Vigil turns to disorder
Footage surfaced online showing cars being set on fire in a field in the Haswell area during a memorial gathering at which balloons were released into the sky. The event is thought to have been held in tribute to Michael Robert Cahill, 23, who lost his life in the A66 crash.
Reports indicate that officers were responding to numerous incidents across Teesside on Thursday night. On Friday, the force condemned the behaviour of a crowd who had travelled to County Durham and torched the vehicles on a privately-owned field, as others in the group released balloons, flares, and fireworks.
No injuries or arrests
Nobody was injured and no arrests were made. The force said officers decided to let the cars burn because "the field was contained and it was assessed there was no immediate risk to wider public safety".
Assistant Chief Constable Jon McAdam, of Durham Constabulary, said: "The behaviour we saw at last night’s gathering was completely unacceptable. Our officers and the communities of County Durham and Darlington were understandably horrified by the tragedy which unfolded on the A66 last week which resulted in multiple deaths, including two serving police officers."
He added: "We utterly condemn anyone who would use that tragedy as an excuse for disorder and expect the overwhelming majority of the public would join us in doing so."
Wider disorder and investigation
Some 200 police officers, including armed response units, were drafted in from neighbouring forces to support Cleveland Police as they tackled recent unfolding disorder. This follows a devastating house fire in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, which claimed the lives of Natalie McDonald, 34, and seven-year-old Valentina Foster, leaving four others injured, with two men arrested on suspicion of murder.
A 48-year-old woman remains in hospital in a critical condition, while a further three people sustained injuries not considered life-threatening. Cleveland Police are working to establish whether the A66 collision was linked to the fire in Birchington Avenue.
Labour MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Andy McDonald described what is going on in the area as "terrorism". He told Times Radio: "This is terrorism and we’ve got to have an appropriate response to deal with the people who are causing such mayhem in our communities and to allow people to lead their peaceful lives."
