A stolen tractor smashed into a house in Middlesbrough early on Saturday, prompting the evacuation of neighbouring properties as a masked gang fled the scene in a getaway car.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on Priory Road at approximately 1:40 am. Residents reported hearing the tractor and seeing its yellow flashing lights before it drove 'full throttle' into the brickwork of the property. One neighbour described the gang, wearing balaclavas and hoodies, escaping in a waiting vehicle.
Police Response
Police cordoned off the road and evacuated several residents as a precaution. Officers remain at the scene, with images showing the red Massey Ferguson tractor lodged inside the property. Detective Chief Inspector John Bonner of Middlesbrough CID stated: 'Shortly after 1 am on Saturday we received reports of a tractor being driven into a house on Priory Road. The property is unoccupied, so no one was injured, but neighbouring properties were evacuated and will return once it is safe.'
Bonner added: 'We are treating this as deliberate, and a scene is in place while the investigation continues. I ask the public to avoid the area. Additional patrols will be conducted over the weekend to reassure the community. I appeal for anyone with information, dash cam or doorbell footage of the tractor, which was stolen from Yarm, to contact us quoting reference 087639. Anonymous reports can be made via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'
Ambulance Service
The North East Ambulance Service confirmed no one required hospital treatment and crews were later stood down. A spokesperson said: 'We were called to Priory Road at 1:40 am. We dispatched a duty officer and a double-crewed ambulance but were stood down by police and fire colleagues.'
