'Overwhelming' response at Middlesbrough clean-up

The clean-up began at Middlesbrough cenotaph

Hundreds of volunteers have begun a clean-up in Middlesbrough after cars were set alight and missiles thrown at police during a night of "disgraceful" violence.

More than 40 people have been arrested after disorder which started at the town's cenotaph on Sunday afternoon.

Houses, shops, a university building and vehicles had their windows smashed.

Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Labour MP Andy McDonald said there had been an "overwhelming" response with people "bringing their brooms, brushes and litter pickers".

Mr McDonald told BBC Tees the behaviour of those taking part in Sunday's events had been "beyond the pale".

"These people don't even know their history - we're a town of immigrants," he said.

"Everybody in Middlesbrough came from somewhere else.

"We are going to take our town back. We will not be beaten by these thugs. They should get the message loud and clear."

Stan and Elaine Johnson described the violence as "heartbreaking"

Stan and Elaine Johnson were among the volunteers who responded to an appeal by Teesside Churches Together.

The pair said it was "heartbreaking" to see the deaths of three young girls in Southport last week used as an "excuse" for "mindless violence".

"It's disgusting," Mrs Johnson said.

"The victims' families are going through enough.

"We wanted to show the community [in Middlesbrough] we are all together. We want to tell the people who've been targeted that we're thinking of them."

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Her husband added they had a "duty" to help.

"We're Christians and we assist where we can no matter what race, creed or religion someone is," he said.

"We've answered a community call. It shows the community cares."

'That wasn't a protest'

Chris Pearson, of Hurworth, Darlington, said he felt he had needed to "come and help" after seeing events reported on the news.

"I'm from Middlesbrough originally. It's where I was brought up. It's my town," he said.

"I wanted to show these people this is how we do things in Middlesbrough.

"I think it was disgraceful. That wasn't a protest, it was a riot. You don't trash buildings or burn cars to protest."

Chris Pearson said Middlesbrough was "my town"

The main areas affected on Sunday were Parliament Road, Waterloo Road and around the town's university with a number of properties damaged including the crown court.

Labour mayor Chris Cooke described the trouble as "appalling", adding: "Like most people in Middlesbrough, I'm angry and upset.

"But as always, the community has come together almost instantly and is looking at how they can help their neighbours."

The Reverend David Goodhew, of St Barnabas’ Church, said the unrest had been "deeply upsetting" with many people "frightened by the violence on display".

He called for people to "pull together in the coming months to ensure the town is in the news for all the right reasons".

The disorder saw a car set ablaze on Parliament Road

Chief Constable Mark Webster, of Cleveland Police, said the situation had been "testing" for the force's officers.

"They were battered, but motivated to protect the people of Middlesbrough," he said.

"Today, they're tired and some of them are injured, but we're identifying people by the hour and teams are going through images to match them to offences."

He added anyone involved in the trouble could "expect a knock on the door".