Clean-up begins after 'appalling' night of unrest

Volunteers helped clean up the debris following unrest in Hartlepool

A clean-up operation is under way after a night of unrest on Teesside saw police officers attacked with missiles, glass bottles and eggs.

Cleveland Police said 12 people, including an 11-year-old boy, had been arrested so far and four officers injured after about 150 people gathered in Hartlepool's Murray Street area.

Cleveland Police said it believed the disorder, which also saw one of the force's vehicles set on fire, was linked to protests over the fatal knife attack on children in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday.

Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash described the night's events as "appalling" and called for people to "remain calm".

A police car was set alight amid the skirmishes

Police said the disturbance was brought to an end by 02:00 BST having started several hours earlier.

They confirmed an 11-year-old was among those arrested on suspicion of arson after a police vehicle was reportedly set alight.

The force added that prior to the protest, officers had arrested a 51-year-old man from Hartlepool on suspicion of distributing written materials to "stir up racial hatred".

A 28-year-old woman, also from Hartlepool, was also arrested before the protest on suspicion of unlawfully obtaining or disclosing protected information and distributing written materials to stir up racial hatred.

Both individuals had since been released on conditional bail, a police spokesperson said.

Labour MP Mr Brash told BBC Radio Tees there was "no excuse" for what had happened.

• Police officers hurt in Hartlepool protest disorder

He said: "The criminal damage and the unrest has made people feel incredibly unsafe in our town.

"The people who were out last night, they don't represent us. This is not what Hartlepool is about or Hartlepool values.

"I've been getting lots of messages. People are disgusted by this behaviour."

He added he would be speaking to police chiefs to "get an understanding of what happened" and to discuss measures to prevent further trouble.

"Please let the police do their job," he said. "They’re working incredibly hard.

"Remain calm. There has been a lot of chatter on social media. I think we just need to come together and be unified."

Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash has called for "calm"

As well as thanking emergency services, Mr Brash praised council workers who launched the clean-up operation.

Riot police had blocked off streets, periodically facing missiles before moving forward to clear the area.

At one point officers shouted a warning to leave before charging to move anyone in their path.

Some of those present told the BBC a protest over immigration had turned ugly with a shop being attacked and rocks thrown.

'Damaging yourself'

Cleveland Police said it was also investigating an assault after video posted on social media appeared to show a "young boy of black or ethnic origin" being "punched in the face", during the unrest.

"It is believed to have occurred on Lowthian Road and detectives are urging him, or anyone who may know who he is, to come forward and contact police," a statement said.

Chief Constable Mark Webster said the force found out about the disorder through social media.

"The police weren’t notified of anything, what we picked up was just some general chit-chat on social media,” he said.

Nine people have been arrested and the number is expected to go up "quite markedly" as the force identifies more people involved, he said.

He added that four officers had been injured.

"They are your officers they’re attacking; these are your streets. You’re damaging yourself here," Mr Webster said.

Cleveland Police said it expected to make further arrests in the coming days

The Labour Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, Matt Storey, said the "mindless disorder" had been "unacceptable".

"These individuals do not represent the people of Cleveland and their message of violence does not reflect the communities of Hartlepool," he said.

Nancy Pout said the Salaam Community Centre would be a "safe space" for people to talk about how the disorder had affected them

Nancy Pout, manager of the Salaam Community Centre on Murray Street, described the violence as "terrifying".

She said staff had taken the decision to close the building at 16:00 BST amid "concerns" a vigil being staged at the cenotaph at Victoria Square could lead to trouble.

Ms Pout said: "By six o'clock the peaceful vigil had turned into a protest with social media suggesting it was moving towards a mosque and our centre.

"Staff came to see what they could do to help and move people away. There was a huge police presence.

"Things escalated and the protest became more violent. As night fell, the riot moved into surrounding residential streets where people's properties were damaged."

Ms Pout said dozens of members of the public had come forward to help with the clean-up efforts.

Among them were John and Valerie Yuill, who picked up glass, bricks and roof tiles.

Mrs Yuill said: "I know there's lots of deprivation and poverty, but torching police cars and smashing shop windows is not the answer.

"People need to work together to try to get problems solved rather than taking part in mindless vandalism. It was so unnecessary."

At the scene: Long and shocking night

By Louise Hobson, BBC Tees

It is the morning after a long and shocking night.

Just a few hours ago, Murray Street was filled with a sea of blue police lights, riot vans and lines of officers wearing protective gear.

Cleveland Police says the disorder ended just before 02:00 BST, but along the street you could see the aftermath – piles of bricks at the side of the road, planks of wood and damage to some properties, including smashed windows.

The force says it will maintain a presence in the area and that it wants to reassure people.

It is also appealing for information from members of the public.