Redcar MP Anna Turley has condemned the serious disorder that occurred during a memorial balloon release in a County Durham field, labeling the behavior as "unacceptable." The event, held to honor one of the young men who died in the recent A66 car crash, was marked by scenes of chaos, with overnight footage and social media imagery appearing to show cars being set on fire, flares being discharged, and masked individuals riding motorbikes.
Expressing concern for the local community, Turley stated that the event "put lives at risk" and left residents feeling "frightened and angry in their own communities." While she acknowledged that people have a right to grieve and pay their respects, she maintained that residents also possess a fundamental right to feel safe in their own homes and neighborhoods. Consequently, she has called upon the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Cleveland Police to utilize "every appropriate power to protect our communities." She noted that the sight of illegal bikes and quad bikes "rampaging," alongside fires and fireworks, only serves to heighten the public's sense of fear and lawlessness, adding that while she understands people are grieving, illegal activity cannot be excused or left unchecked.
Lauren Somerville, chair of the Cleveland Police Federation, described the current atmosphere as "more intense than ever in amongst pain and grief." She confirmed that an additional 200 police officers are being deployed to support the investigation and provide assistance wherever needed. Somerville remarked that the support from across the country for the two deceased officers, PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, is a testament to their memory and reflects a growing understanding of the sacrifices inherent in policing. A fundraiser established by the Cleveland Police Federation for the two officers has already surpassed £1 million.
The region has faced a week of profound tragedy. On Saturday, PC Blades and PC Clough were killed when their vehicle was struck by a Volkswagen Passat traveling the wrong way on the A66 near South Bank. The five young men inside the Volkswagen also died, and inquests into all seven deaths were opened on Thursday. Police have arrested 17 people, aged between 18 and 61, across Teesside as part of an investigation into the lead-up to that crash, with suspects held for offenses including possession of a firearm and being part of an organized crime group.
Additionally, on Wednesday, a house fire in Grangetown claimed the lives of 34-year-old Natalie McDonald and her seven-year-old niece, Valentina Foster. Natalie’s mother, Lisa Kirton, described her daughter as a "beautiful soul," while Valentina, who was staying for the summer holidays, had been "dancing around the living room" just the night before the fire.
"It's been unimaginable… those feelings are going to continue for days, weeks, months and years," she said.
"It's a real sense of people starting to understand what the sacrifice of policing is."
