Police condemn behaviour after vehicles set alight in Haswell

Police have condemned the behaviour of a crowd who travelled to County Durham last night and set fire to a number of vehicles during a balloon release memorial.

Police and emergency services partners were called to the Haswell area shortly after 5.30pm last night, where a large crowd had gathered in a privately-owned field.

The majority of the crowd had travelled from outside the County Durham area, bringing with them a number of vehicles.

During the gathering, which lasted approximately one hour, five vehicles were set on fire and members of the crowd released balloons, flares and fireworks.

As the field was contained and it was assessed there was no immediate risk to wider public safety, the vehicle fires were allowed to burn-out. No-one was injured and no arrests were made.

However, a police operation, including investigation and visible uniformed patrols, will continue in the area over the coming days.

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.

“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”.

Any member of the public with information relating to last night’s disorder is asked to contact Durham Constabulary on 101, referencing incident 377 of August 27.