Serious disorder erupted during a balloon release event held for one of the young men who died in the recent A66 car crash, prompting sharp criticism from local officials. Durham Police reported that a large crowd gathered on a privately owned field near Haswell on Thursday evening, where five vehicles were set on fire and participants released balloons, flares, and fireworks.
Official Responses and Public Safety Concerns
- Assistant Chief Constable Jon McAdam: Stated that the force condemns anyone using the tragedy as an excuse for disorder and expects the public to join them in that condemnation.
- Redcar MP Anna Turley: Declared the event put lives at risk and left residents feeling frightened and angry in their own communities.
- Anna Turley’s Stance: Emphasized that while people have a right to grieve, they also have a right to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods.
- Police Operational Decision: Officers chose to allow the vehicles to burn because the field was contained and there was no immediate risk to wider public safety.
Most of the crowd had traveled from outside the County Durham area, arriving with numerous vehicles shortly after 17:30 BST. While no injuries were reported and no arrests were made at the scene, Durham Police confirmed that a dedicated operation, including investigative work and visible patrols, will continue in the area over the coming days.
Labour MP and Home Office minister Anna Turley has called on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Cleveland Police to utilize every available power to protect local communities. She noted that the sight of illegal bikes, quad bikes, and fires only heightens the sense of fear and lawlessness among residents. Council leader Alec Brown echoed these concerns, stating that the council’s fundamental priority is ensuring residents feel safe, while noting that the area has been inundated with national media attention, which he believes exacerbates local anxiety.
The incident occurred against a backdrop of significant grief across Teesside. On Saturday, police officers PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough were killed when their vehicle was struck by a Volkswagen Passat traveling the wrong way on the A66 at South Bank. All five occupants of the Volkswagen also died in the collision. Inquests into these seven deaths opened on Thursday. Separately, 17 people aged between 16 and 61 have been arrested across Teesside as part of an ongoing investigation into the lead-up to the crash, facing charges ranging from possession of a firearm to involvement in organized crime.
Adding to the local distress, a house fire in Grangetown on Wednesday claimed the lives of 34-year-old Natalie McDonald and her seven-year-old niece, Valentina Foster. Family members described McDonald as a beautiful soul, while the young girl, known as Tina, was remembered as a vibrant child visiting for the summer holidays. Cleveland Police Federation chair Lauren Somerville described the current atmosphere as more intense than ever, noting that an additional 200 officers are being deployed to support the region. A fundraiser established by the federation for the families of the two fallen officers has surpassed £1 million in donations, a gesture Somerville described as a source of comfort during an unimaginable time. The report also notes that we cannot allow illegal activity to be excused and unchecked, while I understand people are grieving and upset. The report also notes that those feelings are going to continue for days, weeks, months and years,” she said. The report also notes that watch: Video shows cars set alight at balloon release. The report also notes that somerville said the extra officers would be used “wherever is needed”. The report also notes that it’s a testament to Tom and Matthew’s memory that the whole country is behind us,” she said. The report also notes that it’s a real sense of people starting to understand what the sacrifice of policing is. The report also notes that somerville said: “It’s felt really difficult and to see that many people supporting us and speaking about us and wrapping their arms around Cleveland – it’s helping us through.
