'Horrific' night of violence in residential area

Police remain at scene of Richmond Court in Grangetown where the violence took place

A car was driven into a residential house, with shots later fired at a separate vehicle and another set alight in the same area, during a night of "targeted and linked" attacks, police have said.

One person was injured in the course of an evening of violence centred on Richmond Court in Grangetown, in Redcar & Cleveland, with police initially alerted at approximately 18:00 BST on Thursday evening.

There have been no arrests so far, but Cleveland Police said officers would remain on the scene for the "foreseeable future".

Redcar & Cleveland Labour MP Anna Turley called the violence "absolutely horrific", adding the local community deserved to "feel safe in their streets".

"The scenes across Redcar & Cleveland overnight - multiple shootings, stabbings, cars rammed into homes and widespread damage to vehicles and properties - are absolutely horrific," she said.

"People in our communities deserve to feel safe in their streets, not wake up to fear and violence on their doorstep."

Turley has written to the Home Secretary to ask for additional support to be given to Cleveland Police to locate the "causes of the lawlessness".

A car was shot at and another was set on fire, police said

Officers were first alerted to the violence shortly after 18:00 BST, when a black car, believed to be a Volvo SUV, was driven into a property.

Another vehicle on the same road was set alight and criminal damage was caused to a separate address.

A 43-year-old man was assaulted and taken to hospital with a serious injury to his arm.

The force said a gun was later discharged at a car on Richmond Court shortly before 22:25 BST. No one injured in the shooting.

In a statement on Thursday, the force said: "Whilst we understand local people will be extremely concerned at this evening's events, police believe these incidents are targeted and linked - therefore we do not believe there is any risk to the wider public at this time."

Turley said she had written to the Home Secretary to request more support for local officers.

"Our police are doing everything they can - but years of cuts have stripped back the frontline, and our officers and communities have been left to pick up the pieces," she said.

"Enough is enough. Redcar & Cleveland deserves better."